Jim O'Keeffe (Cork South West, Fine Gael)

I will not be silenced, either inside or outside this House, by Sinn Féin or the IRA.

We have had a real opportunity through this debate to commend the courage, consistency and honesty of the McCartney family. In regard to the Robert McCartney case the Fine Gael message is simple. We want Sinn Féin to actively encourage those who witnessed this appalling act to give statements to the investigating police. That is the only effective way of ensuring that prosecutions can be pursued. Sinn Féin does not have to look too far to find the perpetrators of this crime. Most of them are republican activists. In dealing with Sinn Féin-IRA, it is also clear that while the scales have been removed from our eyes in recent times regarding the criminality of the provisional movement, we must understand, in terms of Sinn Féin, that we are dealing with a Marxist-Leninist organisation that has no commitment to the institutions of this State and which has given evidence over time of a dogged determination to overthrow the institutions of this State by one means or another.

Recent days have shown what can be achieved when pressure is brought to bear on the IRA and the provisional movement. That pressure has been mounted because of the truth, sincerity, honesty and courage of the McCartney sisters. It must be maintained and all of us who are genuine democrats must continue to support the sisters' campaign for truth, honesty and justice to ensure that those who committed this brutal murder are brought to trial and put in jail. The McCartneys deserve no less from the people of Ireland.

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