Published Monday, 14 September 2009
Sinn Fein was the only party opposing the motion calling on the UK government to apply diplomatic pressure on Tripoli.
Mr Adams said: "It would have been better if the members putting this motion had consulted with the other parties to bring forward a motion which would have united us rather than divided us and which would have reflected the suffering of all victims.
"This motion suggests that there's a hierarchy of victims and that is wrong. The only way the political parties in particular, and society in general, can deal properly with these issues is on the basis of equality of treatment for all and this motion fails on this most important of all hurdles."
Gerry Adams claimed the motion displayed hypocrisy in asking the British government to apply diplomatic pressure on Libya when it had also been complicit in state violence.
The motion was put by DUP MLA Jeffrey Donaldson.
"This isn't a question of victims seeking to score some kind of political point, it is about people and it is an opportunity today Mr Deputy Speaker for all of us to come behind the victims to support their case for compensation.
"It isn't then a party political issue, it will then be a question of this Assembly recognising that in this case justice should be done."
DUP MLA Alex Easton criticised Sinn Fein's stance.
"This isn't time to listen to the arguments of the republican movement who are morally incontinent," he said.
"They may as well attempt to push water up a hill than seek to prevent the innocent victims of their terrorism being compensated by those who supplied their tools."
Ulster Unionist leader Sir Reg Empey said his party would continue its solidarity with those who suffered because of Libyan collusion with the IRA.
The Alliance Party supported the motion. The SDLP also backed it after its amendment was barred.
SDLP MLA Dolores Kelly said there should be no moral equivalence between perpetrators and their victims.
The motion was passed.