Before proceeding with the Order of Business I call on Senator Brid Rogers regarding a motion of which she has given me notice under Standing Order 29.
Business of Seanad.
An Leas-Chathaoirleach
I propose the suspension of Standing Orders to discuss a specific and important matter of public interest requiring urgent consideration, that is the implications for peace and stability in this country of the decision handed down yesterday in the Northern Ireland court in the case involving the shooting dead of an unarmed civilian in County Armagh.
An Leas-Chathaoirleach
I have given careful consideration to the matter raised by you and I do not consider it to be a matter contemplated by Standing Order 29. I regret that I have to rule it out of order.
May I say I find it difficult to understand how it is not a matter of the most serious and most urgent consideration because even moderate Nationalist opinion in Northern Ireland is outraged and the alienation and the further undermining of the process of law that has taken place because of this case is indeed a matter of serious implication for this whole country?
I am disappointed that——
An Leas-Chathaoirleach
I cannot allow a discussion to take place on this.
I am not discussing it. I just want to express my disappointment that in this House we cannot accept a motion such as that. If we cannot do it here, where can we discuss matters of such grave national importance which will have grave repercussions right across this country? It is a pity that we cannot accept that motion.
May I support the previous Senator's speech because——
An Leas-Chathaoirleach
It is not in order to dispute the ruling of the Chair.
I am not disputing the Chair's ruling but I would like to know where Senator Rogers can get the opportunity of raising this and when can she get the opportunity of raising this matter here in this House?
In no spirit of dispute but as a Senator who has raised the subject of extradition in this House and who recently expressed satisfaction that a man who was a known killer had been removed from circulation and appealed that in that context we should be all earnestly seeking for a political solution for the social and political problems that beset this island so that such killing would cease, I would like to say——
An Leas-Chathaoirleach
Senator Robb, again I do not like to interrupt you. I realise as well as everybody else how important this is. You can put it down as an ordinary motion. On the Order of Business today — I think you were in the House — there was no indication given to me as Leas-Chathaoirleach that we would have this at a later stage. As you are probably aware, I was only four minutes out of the Chair when this was brought before me.
I fully understand and appreciate your feelings on the matter. I also appreciate that you have been gentle with me in your assessment of my position. I would, however, like to say that I believe this is a matter of very grave concern in order to try to defuse the feelings of people in Northern Ireland who are losing their confidence——
An Leas-Chathaoirleach
I am sorry. My feelings might be as strong as yours and any other Senator's in this Chamber about issues, but we have rules and Standing Orders and I, as well as every other Member of this House, must abide by them. I would love to come in here also and let my feelings on issues such as this be known but I must rule as Cathaoirleach and I am doing so. I hope the Senator will accept it in the manner in which I am saying it.
In the context of extradition it is most important that the due process of law is monitored and that we should all seek earnestly a political solution to end killing in Ireland once and for all.