FF prevent enquiry into US use of Shannon
international |
anti-war / imperialism |
other press 
Thursday February 16, 2006 16:42
by cafe
Time to name and shame the FF senators
Fianna Fáil senators have blocked attempts to set up a Seanad investigation into allegations that the US has illegally transported prisoners through Shannon airport for torture elsewhere. Apparently Fianna Fáil senators feared that the creation of a Seanad inquiry would be seen as an unfriendly act by the United States, and possibly threaten the US military's increasingly important use of Shannon International Airport.
Any one interested in naming and shaming the FF senators (especially those who are looking for GE nominations)?
How 'bout writing to local papers to highlight their complicity in the illegal occuapation of Iraq; their willingness to faciliate flights of rendition and their willingness to allow millions of Irish taxpayers money be spent facilitating the use of Shannon airport by US troops
Mr. Edward (Eddie) Joseph Bohan
Industrial and Commercial Panel
Party: Fianna Fáil
Mr. Cyprian Brady
Nominated by the Taoiseach
Party: Fianna Fáil
Mr. Peter Callanan
Agricultural Panel
Party: Fianna Fáil
Ms. Margaret Cox
Industrial and Commercial Panel
Party: Fianna Fáil
Mr. Brendan Daly
Labour Panel
Party: Fianna Fáil
Mr. Timmy Dooley
Administrative Panel
Party: Fianna Fáil
Ms. Geraldine Feeney
Labour Panel
Party: Fianna Fáil
Mr. Liam Joseph Fitzgerald
Labour Panel
Party: Fianna Fáil
Mr. Camillus Glynn
Administrative Panel
Party: Fianna Fáil
Mr. John Gerard Hanafin
Labour Panel
Party: Fianna Fáil
Mr. Brendan Kenneally
Nominated by the Taoiseach
Party: Fianna Fáil
Mr. Tony Kett
Administrative Panel
Party: Fianna FáilSeanad
Mr. Michael P. Kitt
Nominated by the Taoiseach
Party: Fianna Fáil
Mr. Terry Leyden
Labour Panel
Party: Fianna Fáil
Mr. Don Lydon
Labour Panel
Party: Fianna Fáil
Mr. Marc MacSharry
Industrial and Commercial Panel
Party: Fianna Fáil
Dr. Martin Mansergh
Agricultural Panel
Party: Fianna Fáil
Mr. Paschal Canice Mooney
Cultural and Educational Panel
Party: Fianna Fáil
Mr. Pat Moylan
Nominated by the Taoiseach
Party: Fianna Fáil
Mr. Labhrás Ó Murchú
Cultural and Educational Panel
Party: Fianna Fáil
Mr. Francis O'Brien
Agricultural Panel
Party: Fianna Fáil
Ms. Ann Ormonde
Cultural and Educational Panel
Party: Fianna Fáil
Fianna Fáil members of the 22nd Seanad
Mrs. Mary O'Rourke
Nominated by the Taoiseach
Party: Fianna Fáil
Mr. Kieran Phelan
Industrial and Commercial Panel
Party: Fianna Fáil
Mr. Eamon Scanlon
Agricultural Panel
Party: Fianna Fáil
Mr. Jim Walsh
Agricultural Panel
Party: Fianna Fáil
Mr. Mary M. White
Industrial and Commercial Panel
Party: Fianna Fáil
Mr. Diarmuid Wilson
Administrative Panel
Party: Fianna Fáil
Comments (1 of 1)
Jump To Comment: 1Mr. Norris: I addressed my growing concerns in this regard to a number of Government sources yesterday and I now understand this committee is dead in the water. This is regrettable and I ask the Leader to explain, if it is true, why this is the case. Where did the pressure come from to prevent the establishment of such an inquiry? I hear the Government had some part in the decision, as well as local councillors from the Shannon area. It seems extraordinary that the Seanad should be run by local authorities rather than deciding its own business.
But in this article (http://www.indymedia.ie/article/73903) it is claimed in the press and here that a unamimous motion was passed expressing concern at the use of Shannon as torture pitstop and action be taken on it, I still don't see that the motion was passed and the councillors were more concerned about the airports reputation, then the welfare any possible kidnappees Even if they did send a letter to government expressing conerns it doens't its not reflected in today outcome. http://www.clare.ie/aboutus/Docs/December05_Minutes.pdf
Senator Mooney uses the emotional issue of jobs to damage kidnap and torture :/
Mr. Mooney: ——between Ireland and America, if he wishes to deprive the people of the Shannon area of jobs,——
Mr. Mooney:——if he is prepared to put away the jobs and the interests of those in the Shannon area by having a go at the Government and by his constant anti-American stream——
Mr. Norris: So it is question of jobs versus torture. Now it is out in the open. That is very useful.
Mr. Mooney: If he wants to do that, I will not stand over it.
Mr. Norris: So it is a question of murky morality. Morality for sale Mr. Mooney.
As the houses came back after christmas a meeting was held and disquiet at an investigation into renditions flights stopped the cmtte being formed
Ms O’Rourke: On Wednesday afternoon I spoke individually to Senators Norris, Bradford and Minihan instead of waiting for them to hear it from somebody else. We hold a parliamentary party meeting of Fianna Fáil Senators before the House sits. I am sure all the groups do the same. At that meeting, before lunch last Wednesday, it was brought to my attention that there was considerable disquiet among our group of Senators on this matter. True democracy allows for everybody to be entitled to their own thoughts, to their disquiet and to make a case. also wish to scotch another perception. The Taoiseach did not intervene in this matter.
Mr. Norris: I am taking up the Leader’s suggestion instead. I will put it on the Order Paper and will let the House vote on it next week....
The Council or Europe Cmtte don't expect to get any useful response from member states reps either.
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