MR Michael O'Kennedy (FF) called on the House to unite in rejecting and condemning "the offensive and very dangerous statement" by the Northern Secretary of State, Sir Patrick Mayhew, on the Bloody Sunday killings.
Sir Patrick had indicated that he saw no reason for the British government to apologise for what amounted to official murder, declared Mr O'Kennedy.
The leader of the House, Mr Maurice Manning, recalled that Senators had recently been unanimous in voicing calls for an inquiry and a full apology.
