Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)

I join the Taoiseach in paying tribute to the efforts of John Hume over three decades in Northern Ireland politics. As an MP and MEP, John Hume strode across the political landscape in Northern Ireland like a colossus and used his considerable influence to enormous beneficial effect. I trust that his experience, gained over many dark days and years, will not be lost to the political process as we move towards implementation of the Good Friday Agreement.

Does the Taoiseach agree that the announcement by the DUP, following the highly symbolic meeting between him and the party's representatives in the Irish Embassy in London, amounts to what the British Prime Minister, Mr. Blair, described as a seismic shift in attitude, in that previously the DUP wanted to deal only with the Irish Government whereas it has now declared it would be prepared to deal with republicans provided there is clarity about ending all paramilitary links? Does the Taoiseach regard that as a fundamental change in the attitude of Dr. Paisley and his party?

Did the Taoiseach's discussions with the DUP in London centre on a review of the Good Friday Agreement or were they confined to the possibility of putting new structures in place to effect a return of the legislative assembly?

See this speech in context