I have had notice from Senator Michael D. Higgins regarding a motion of which he has given me notice under Standing Order No. 29. I now call on Senator Michael D. Higgins.
Request under Standing Order 29.
An Leas-Chathaoirleach
Under Standing Order No. 29 I wish to propose the adjournment of the Seanad on a specific and important matter of public interest, that requires urgent consideration that is, the imminent decision by the United States House of Representatives as to whether they would accede to President Reagan's request for military aid to the armed mercenaries who seek to destabilise the democratically elected Government of Nicaragua at elections recognised by this Government and by all parties in both of these Houses as having been free and fair. My reason for raising this motion under Standing Order No. 29 has been the distressing escalation of violent rhetoric addressed against the Nicaraguan Government in recent times by the President's Office in the United States, including slanderous allegations against the former Minister for Home Affairs in Nicaragua, Mr. Tomas Borge, the whole suggestion of the President announcing that he was a Contra himself. I think that those for whom the assistance is being sought are people who have been guilty of murder, rape, the destruction of villages and so on.
An Leas-Chathaoirleach
As Leas-Chathaoirleach, I have carefully considered the matter raised by the Senator and I do not consider it as a matter contemplated by Standing Order 29. I regret, therefore, to have to rule it out of order.
I accept your ruling, of course, but I would hope that the Department of Foreign Affairs would break what I feel to be an ominous silence on matters of this kind in Central America that have arisen in recent times.
An Leas-Chathaoirleach
I absolutely understand how strongly the Senator feels. At the same time there are rules by which I, as Leas-Chathaoirleach, have to abide and I would like if the Senator could see his way to put down a motion.
Yes, I will put down a motion. My reason for raising it was the urgency of the decision this evening, and I would hope that our ambassador in Washington would make the views of these Houses known.
If the matter of professional terrorism on the scale that is being threatened by the United States Government cannot be discussed in this House until after the event——
An Leas-Chathaoirleach
I would ask the Minister to resume on Item No. 1.