Trevor Sargent (Dublin North, Green Party)

I was glad to hear the Taoiseach recognise in his contribution the difference between a stabbing and a robbery and state that a physical assault is worse in terms of a "moral league", if one can call it that. However, did he really mean to refer to the bank robbery as showing the problem with the peace process in sharp relief, a statement which surprised me? Does he agree that the punishment beatings show the problem in sharp relief too? Perhaps he needs to put the two issues in the same phrase at least if he is making a reference to such a key issue or event.

Does the Government clearly distinguish between a conflict resolution process and a post-conflict situation? There has been some mixing of the interpretation of the two concepts which does not help us to reach the point at which we have a resolved conflict. Will the Taoiseach explain the Government's view on the matter given that it appears different Ministers might have different views on whether we are engaged in a conflict resolution process or a post-conflict situation?

Given that the Good Friday Agreement, which all Members wholeheartedly support and want to see implemented, is stuck on strand one, can strands two and three be given any hope of proceeding as quickly as possible in the areas of justice, human rights, cross-Border institutions and so on in order to give hope to people who are yearning and grasping for whatever hope can be engendered?

I acknowledge that it is not the Government's decision but the Taoiseach's view is important in regard to the Forum for Peace and Reconciliation. Does he support the proposal to reconstitute the forum so that not just the parties in this House or the Government but rather all parties, including the SDLP, other constitutional parties and all those in civic society who have a role to play, could be involved in pushing forward our agreements rather than our disagreements? Can this be implemented as soon as possible given the sense of despair which is beginning to grow in respect of the whole process?

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