Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)

There can be no doubt but that, after many years of difficulty, trial, tribulation and hardship, having arrived at a position where a peace process is in situ and being implemented, there is always the danger that vulnerable communities will regress. Young people can tend to drift backwards because of unemployment, depression, alcoholism or suicide. That is why the IFI and EU funding, as well as funding from both Governments is absolutely critical for the development of such communities, as well as demonstrating to young people that there is a better way. The cause of peace can lead on to a better life for everyone concerned. That is why it is so important that those who work in such communities, on both sides, can demonstrate the effective value of that kind of expenditure in the interests of young people's livelihoods. I have met quite a number of them and I have been impressed by the range and scale of work in which they are involved. I also appreciate the difficulty they have in constantly reaching out for new ways to attract young people to honour the peace code. That is why there is no disagreement that the IFI fund is critical, as is the funding from Europe.

I am sure everyone here hopes, as I do, that what happened to Ronan Kerr can be viewed not as the beginning of something but as the end of it. We would all like to think this can never happen again. For what it is worth, it is important that this House expresses its utter condemnation of what happened, as it is also important for people to be able to express that condemnation by attendance at the funeral of young Ronan Kerr. As I said, I admire the courage and quiet strength of his mother, having lost her son yet speaking out for so many others of a young generation, and a generation to come, of the kind of Northern Ireland she would like to see.

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