What I've been saying

Islam, Islamism and Islamophobia in Europe

I welcome the fact that, in the context of political extremism, this report draws a distinction between religion on the one hand and the manipulation of religious beliefs for political reasons on the other. Indeed, there are many praiseworthy aspects to the report. It astutely pinpoints the dual wrongs of both Islamism, as a terrorist and anti-democratic force, and Islamophobia, as a form of secular and religious bigotry.

Criminalising FGM

Yesterday the Labour Party brought forward an excellent Bill in this Chamber to criminalise female genital mutilation. It deserves great credit for bringing forward this issue because it is about a terrible violation of human dignity that all should condemn.

• Irregular migrants and voluntary return
• Children do not come first: the failure of the HSE
• Government’s Cardiovascular Policy and Stroke Care Implementation Plan
• Greek problems: not just economic
• Trafficking Laws fail the vulnerable
• Statement on The Common Agricultural Policy
• Forum on End of Life
• Amendment to Council of Europe report into sexual orientation has implications for Civil Partnership Bill – Senator Mullen