Shannon Airport and health strategy committee
Senator Gavan criticised US military use of Shannon Airport and hotel cancellations affecting a Shannonwatch conference. Senator Burke responded to Devine’s health comments by saying Sinn Féin was opposing Senators’ appointment to a ten-year health strategy committee and then raised home care packages and the need for training.
I have been invited to speak at the Stop the War Coalition conference in London on Saturday about the US military's use of Shannon Airport. I will be proud to share a platform with Mr. Jeremy Corbyn who has always been a friend to Ireland and the peace process, in particular. This week something very strange happened. Shannonwatch which has done amazing work in detailing what happens at Shannon Airport had been planning to hold a conference to mark 15 years of US military occupation of the airport. Three hotels had accepted the booking but then subsequently cancelled it, leaving Shannonwatch without a venue on Saturday. This speaks to the issue of silence regarding the use of Shannon Airport. There is an awkward silence. It is as if the Government knows that it is complicit and completely wrong in supporting the US military's adventures in Syria, Afghanistan and Iraq which have caused so many deaths, but it just does not want to talk about it. We need to talk about it. It is an absolute disgrace that our neutrality has been shamed in this way for 15 years. As someone who lives in Limerick, I am disgusted that our local politicians refuse to talk about the issue. If they want to support the US military's adventures, they should make their case. If we think it is wrong, we will make our case, but the issue cannot be ignored. It is time to break the silence on the use of Shannon Airport. That is why I will be speaking on Saturday and ask the Leader to arrange a debate on the issue with the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade.
Comment on this
I was intrigued by Senator Máire Devine’s submission on the health care issue. She raised a very important matter and I fully agree with her in many respects. However, there is a ten-year strategy committee to which I am seeking to have Senators appointed. I now understand Sinn Féin is opposing that proposal. I am intrigued that Senator Máire Devine is telling us what we should tell Members of Dáil Éireann when we would have that opportunity if we had Senators as members of the ten-year strategy committee. I am intrigued as to why Sinn Féin is opposed to having Senators as members of a a very important------