Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The reconciliation and co-operation unit has achieved a considerable return on a small investment over the past several years. They have targeted the most disadvantaged communities and I have engaged with departmental officials in advocating and promoting schemes. I hope it will be possible to continue this work. The danger of trouble and thuggery is ever present in some communities and it was disheartening to see over the summer that certain political leaders lacked the guts or decency to condemn the thuggery that occurred in north Belfast in particular. We must be careful to ensure these events do not spiral out of control.

The International Fund for Ireland has done excellent work since it was established in the mid-1980s. It has managed to leverage a considerable amount of community activity in the Six Counties and the six Southern Border counties. I wish the Tánaiste well in his chairmanship of the OSCE. Preparatory for the chairmanship since it was decided in 2009 that Ireland would hold the chairmanship.

There will be a big saving in the Vote when the chairmanship ends and I am sure it will be put to good use.