Mary Lou McDonald (Dublin Central, Sinn Fein)

That is good. Perhaps it does not need to be said that in areas such as education and health, where budgets are under stress and we want to protect the quality of service delivered, there is enormous scope for positive initiatives that would offer a win-win outcome on both sides of the Border. However, I would like the Taoiseach to go further than simply saying that while devolution of fiscal powers may be a good idea, it is for the British Government and the Executive to sort it out. He has correctly recalled that he is co-guarantor of the Good Friday Agreement and, by extension, the process of peace building, reconciliation and reunification across the island. This is a matter on which the Government could legitimately take a position. God knows, in exchanges in this Chamber the fiscal circumstances of the North are referred to repeatedly. That is fine in the cut and thrust of political debate, but there is an onus on the Government to take a view on enhanced powers for the Assembly, with particular emphasis on fiscal powers. Bear in mind that the devolution of these powers is the very step that will make stronger and deeper North-South co-operation possible.

The Taoiseach will travel to the North in the coming weeks. It was our understanding he would go there in June. He has indicated that he will meet the Ballymurphy families and he knows what they are seeking. They want an investigation, an apology from the British Government and a recognition of the innocence of their loved ones. I am conscious that the issue has been ongoing for some time and if his visit to the North is delayed, I ask him whether he is prepared to meet the families in Dublin.

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