Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I will curtail my contribution to four questions and there may be an opportunity to return. First is the issue I raised earlier, namely, welfare cuts. I know there is a certain irony in my asking the Taoiseach, who is imposing austerity here, to raise the issue of austerity with the British Government in regard to the North. However, I do so because the economy in the North just cannot cope with the swingeing cuts this Tory Government is imposing. When I raised this during Leaders' Questions, the Taoiseach did not respond to the point I made about £1 billion in welfare cuts being imposed on people in the North and he did not commit to raising this matter with the British Government even though, as the Taoiseach rightly reminded us, the Good Friday Agreement is about people's rights. I raise the issue again now.

Second, I raise the issue of Marian Price. I do not know if the Taoiseach knows that Ms Price has just been moved back into the City Hospital and is very seriously ill. She has been in detention for two years but is facing no charges and has not been subject to due process. She and Martin Corey are effectively being held without charge or trial. Marian Price has serious problems with her immune system and is at heightened risk of infection. I got that report this morning by calling people in Belfast. The parole board to which Sinn Féin has made representations is due to make a decision on her case before 30 May. What representations has the Taoiseach made on behalf of this Irish citizen who is being held in isolation without access to fresh air? What representations has he made to accelerate her release?

Third, I refer to an Acht na Gaeilge, although none exists. For what it is worth, within the so-called United Kingdom there are language Acts in Wales and Scotland. There is also what we have in this State but there is nothing of the kind in the North where the Irish language community is in resurgence and there has been a renaissance of Irish language schools and communities.

Fourth, there is the issue of Narrow Water Bridge, which I have raised before with the Taoiseach. I have written to the Ministers involved, Mr. Danny Kennedy MLA and Mr.Sammy Wilson MLA. My big concern is that the funding currently provided under INTERREG will be lost as a result of the time limit placed on such funding. If the project slips past that limit, for whatever reason - although the Minister, Mr. Wilson, has assured me he is not delaying - we will have a real problem and this substantive tranche of funding will be lost. I would like to contribute again later, if possible.

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