Today's Order of Business is Item 1, without debate, and Item 2, the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Bill, 1994. Item 3, the report of the Task Force on Small Business, will be taken from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. I suggest 20 minutes per spokesperson and 15 minutes thereafter for Items 2 and 3. There will be a sos between 1 p.m. and 2 p.m.
Order of Business.
I wish to make two points on the Order of Business. Yesterday the House condemned Loyalist terrorism. We strongly condemn the murder of an RUC man in Derry last night and the serious injuries caused to his two companions. It is difficult to see how the IRA can persuade people that it is seriously considering the Downing Street Declaration and looking for peace when it continues to engage in such murderous activities. In that context I ask the Leader of the House to take into account what I said yesterday about an early debate on Northern Ireland.
Next week the Government will honour the 75th anniversary of the founding and first meeting of Dáil Éireann. Earlier this year I asked the Leader of the House if it would be possible to have a two hour debate to commemorate the founding of Dáil Éireann to give us an opportunity to look at what has been achieved in Parliament since that time and to rededicate ourselves to continued reform and growth of the two Houses of Parliament. I would like an opportunity to have a short debate in this session to commemorate the first meeting of Dáil Éireann.
I am delighted Senator Manning mentioned the killing in Derry last night. I was in Derry six times during the past month in connection with the peace initiative. For the past 18 months the people of Derry felt that peace had arrived by capillary action or osmosis throughout the community. On a number of occasions I heard Senator McGowan speak about the co-operation between the different local councils in that area. The only evidence of the troubles in that area during the past year was the Greysteel massacre, which happened some distance outside the city, and a weak attempt to make a point at the end of the earlier ceasefire at Christmas.
In addition to conveying our sympathies on the death of a member of the RUC, the heartfelt feelings of this House go out to the people of Derry because they will feel let down and we must share that feeling. Derry has become more optimistic in the last 20 years. It has been described to me as the fastest growing city in western Europe. It is disgraceful for people to wreck that sense of optimism and destroy the people's hopes. We must convey our sympathies to the public representatives on all sides in that city. It is impossible to try to explain or justify such senseless killing.
The Government was criticised yesterday about the appointment of the Ombudsman. It was an extraordinarily sensitive, well timed and well judged appointment. Mr. Kevin Murphy will prove to be a——
That is not appropriate to the Order of Business.
——worthy holder of the office of Ombudsman.
I join with the two other Senators in expressing sadness at the killing of an RUC man in Derry last night. This comes at a time when the local authorities on both sides of the Border are outlining a programme to spend £150 million in the Border areas which have been devastated by the IRA. This programme will be sent to the EU and to the British and Irish Governments. It is of no comfort to those living on the Border when a policeman is slaughtered in Derry. We have often criticised the police in Northern Ireland, but 99 per cent of them are ordinary people, protecting those who have suffered so much. We must continually condemn these actions. We have asked for a debate on the North and I hope the Leader of the House can arrange for the Taoiseach or the Tánaiste to come here in the near future so we can have an opportunity to unite in condemnation of the continued killings in Northern Ireland.
I also ask the Leader to arrange a debate on the future of the fishing industry in view of current developments in Europe. If everything reported in the media is true, the position is serious. We know the Minister for the Marine is doing excellent work, but there are many obstacles in his way. The future of the fishing industry is important to this country.
The suggestion by the Leader of the Opposition, Senator Manning of a commemorative debate is worthy of serious consideration by the Whips. At the foundation of the State we were a small offshore island, which was poor and underdeveloped. Now we are a modern nation, although all our Governments have made mistakes through the years.
The day to day business of the House is concerned with legislation and there is little time to look back, consider the past, examine the present and contemplate the future. This House should undertake the worthwhile endeavour of looking at the past in a completely non-partisan way. These events are long behind us now and we can look at them as mature people.
We have made many mistakes. Senator McGowan mentioned fishing and I have always thought that the lack of a strategic plan for fishing under all Governments over many years to be one of the great shames of Irish Administrations. I have always believed there was tremendous potential in developing our fisheries, although that may no longer be the case because of our membership of the EU.
I ask the Leader to consider such a debate because it would be worthwhile. When one sees the younger generation in the House this morning, it would be good if legislators looked back, examine what we have done, consider the present and chart the future.
I add my voice to the condemnation of the killing in Derry last night. The hopes of the vast majority of people in that city are being destroyed by the actions of these people. I also call for an early debate on Northern Ireland.
Senator O'Toole has given good expression to our feelings about the killing in Derry last night. When one talks to people from Derry and other parts of Northern Ireland, one senses a feeling that the time for peace has come. We have felt and expressed this in the South, but when one speaks to people from the North one realises the hope for peace is genuine. Only when one speaks to people from the area does one see what is and is not possible. Last night's events were a real setback, especially as it occurred in Derry. Obviously, this is to be condemned wherever it happens; but one would have hoped it would not have happened where there has been so much co-operation.
In considering Loyalist killings, as we did yesterday, about last night's killing in Derry, as we are today, we must remember these people are totally out of step with the feelings of the vast majority of people in the North and elsewhere. We must condemn all these actions and hope these people will realise how isolated they are from the hopes of people in the communities.
I, too, rise to condemn last night's shooting in Derry. We in the South should be seen to do everything possible to alleviate these murderous actions in the North. I remind the House there was a shooting in another Border area last night. I wonder whether the increased military occupation around Crossmaglen is adding to or reducing tension?
I raise this matter because I have a treasured association with the Crossmaglen GAA club, including the late Gene Larkin and the late Gene Duffy. I have had sympathy with them because of the occupation and harassment they have endured from the British Army on their GAA grounds. The Irish Government should discuss this increased military occupation with the British Government and ascertain whether it is increasing or decreasing tension in the area. I appeal to the Leader to use his influence with the Minister for Foreign Affairs.
On behalf of the House I join in the condemnation expressed by all Senators this morning about the killing last night. Senator O'Toole mentioned the disgust felt in Derry and we also share that. I hope the Tánaiste will come into the House as soon as possible so this House can give its views about current events in Northern Ireland.
Senator Manning suggested a debate on the 75th anniversary of the First Dáil. We will deal with that before the end of the term, as soon as possible. We agree with the suggestion. Senator McGowan expressed concern about the fishing industry. The Fisheries (Amendment) Bill is due in the House soon. This should allow us to express our views on the current state of that industry.
Order of Business agreed to.