I remind members and those in the Visitors Gallery to ensure all mobile phones and BlackBerries are completely switched off as they interfere with the recording equipment in committee rooms.
The minutes of the meeting of 5 November 2008 have been circulated. Are there any matters arising?
Yes, with regard to the second paragraph of No. 3 in which I requested that the previous matter be recorded. The issue refers to my reservation about Deputy Shatter's letter and the assertion that a proposed visit to Gaza would be seen to be supportive of Hamas and would embarrass the Israeli Government. I would like to have this clarified a little as my point may not emerge from the manner in which it is written. It was because Hamas, regrettably or not, is the legitimate Government, duly elected and that I see no problem in embarrassing Israel if it deserves it. I would like those two points to be made because otherwise it does not really make much sense.
That was taken from the transcript of the meeting. Does Senator Norris wish to add a clarification?
Please. I very much doubt if that was all I said. I am not known for my brevity nor my wit.
It is not a quality that Senator Norris possesses.
The Government of Hamas is perfectly legitimate whether one regrets it, and Israel is not immune from criticism.
I wish to make my apologies. Deputy Shatter has arranged a meeting about Pamela Izevbekhai at 3.30 p.m. and I will attend it. I am not anti-Shatter, at least not on principle, only in particular circumstances.
Are the minutes agreed? Agreed.
I think it is non-contentious but it would be important for us to record the fact in public session that the sub-committee on human rights yesterday unanimously accepted a motion on the case of Ms Jestina Mukoko. We agreed unanimously to contact the South African ambassador and other foreign Ministers of member countries of the European Union. I wish to state in public session that all members were in agreement that we would take this action, that we would make a general point in regard to the position in Zimbabwe but that we would regard the position of Ms Jestina Mukoko as extremely urgent, and as something we should do within 24 hours. I am happy to report that the Chairman, Senator Ivor Callely, has in fact already prepared a letter for the ambassador of the Republic of South Africa.
I thank Deputy Higgins. We will come to that later in the meeting.
Are we going to ask the South African ambassador to come before the committee also?
I said I would report to the committee later but I felt that because we were taking correspondence in private session that it was important on a matter like this that we would indicate what we had decided in the sub-committee in public session.
Can I just mention in that context that I questioned our standing——
I thought Senator Norris was rushing off.
I questioned our standing on the matter since the Government has set about demolishing every single human rights agency in the State. I do not think we have much standing to preach to other people about their human rights.
Before we commence I remind Members of the Dáil that immediately following this meeting, a meeting of the select committee is scheduled for 4.30 p.m. to discuss a motion referred to it by the Dáil.
