Naughten resignation and violence debate
Senator Ned O'Sullivan spoke on Deputy Naughten’s resignation and LNG, but the exchange quickly became a heated confrontation with Senator Mac Lochlainn over violence, republican history and hypocrisy. The Chair repeatedly intervened while both sides continued the argument.
Yes, I did. I want clarification on timing.
Comment on this
Excuse me, the previous speaker raised five different matters, with which I have no problem, but I raised two and the Leas-Chathaoirleach made me sit down.
Comment on this
I have the four matters brought up by Senator-----
Comment on this
It is a point of order.
Comment on this
The Leas-Chathaoirleach is not timing it right. He needs to get it right.
Comment on this
What about the father the House?
Comment on this
I accept that I coming to this matter a little late. I have no comment to make on the circumstances of the resignation of the former Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment, Deputy Naughten. In his capacity as Minister, I found Deputy Naughten very forthcoming, available and engaging and I want to give him credit, particularly for the hands-on approach he took to trying to secure energy supply and security in the Shannon Estuary. He was very involved in a project that is close to my heart, namely, that relating to liquefied natural gas, LNG. Unfortunately, that project has once again been delayed by an objection. I hope that when there is an outcome in that regard, the new Minister, Deputy Bruton, might come to the House and take up from where the former Minister, Deputy Naughten, left off.
I want to bring the attention of the House to an article by Simon Carswell in today's edition of The Irish Times. It includes an interview with Mary Casey of Inniskeen, County Monaghan, regarding the death of her father, Johnny, in a tragic appalling murderous act carried out by the IRA on August 22, 1972, when it exploded a bomb at a Border crossing in Newry. The explosion resulted in the deaths of eight people, including Mary's father, who was an innocent lorry driver who had stopped to get his documents in order. The article is very interesting. It brings to mind all of the atrocities committed by the IRA and its equally mad counterparts on the extreme unionist side. It is important that we dwell on these things, especially at a time when there is a lot of loose talk about Brexit. I have heard some outrageous comments by Neanderthal British politicians about letting the Irish shoot it out among themselves. There have been equally irresponsible comments from the other side, with people stating that it is time to take advantage, have a Border poll and get a united Ireland.
They should read the newspaper article in question today. I commend it to every Member of every party. We do not want to go back to those murderous mad days. The IRA finally realised the futility of its activities and moved on. Thanks be to God, it perished in the dustbins of history. However, there are equally mad people up there who still think they can do the murderous things the IRA thought it had authority to do. Now is the time to reflect on that before it gets any further and let saner voices prevail in the Brexit debate.
Comment on this
From where did Fianna Fáil come? Has the Senator ever read a history book about 1919 to 1921?
Comment on this
Is the Senator supporting that wrong? Is he supporting that incident in question where the IRA killed eight people?
Comment on this
I profoundly regret every act of violence that ever took place on this island.
Comment on this
However, I cannot stand hypocrites who glorify the violence-----
Comment on this
The Senator has to stand up to this.
Comment on this
Sinn Féin has to have a conscience.
Comment on this
I cannot stand hypocrites who stand up in this Chamber and glorify those who engaged in violence in the War of Independence.
Comment on this
We know what they did in the North and what they would do in the South if they could get away with it.
Comment on this
I can give both Senators another couple of minutes.
Comment on this
Senator Ned O’Sullivan is an absolutely pathetic excuse for a parliamentarian.