Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)

There are a number of issues about which I will be asked in the United States. In lots of ways, I would, if I found the circumstances, get some clarity on them. I have been through this before and I know the committee and members on Capitol Hill will ask about them. The statement is an extraordinary one and while it is not our practice to comment, the only statement in which I am interested is the one made by the people when they voted for the Good Friday Agreement. That statement makes it clear there is no place for violence of any kind by any organisation here. As I said outside the House this morning, the latest statement is so outrageous and offensive that we must make our views clear on it. I would not mind if some of the people with whom I deal made some of those issues clear, so I could answer questions next week.

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