Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)

I am sure the Taoiseach understands the difference between retired paramilitaries choosing to commemorate whomsoever they want is quite distinct from democratically elected Governments conferring approval on a particular version of history. In the sectarian slaughter that we have witnessed over the last 30 years, more people were killed by the IRA than by the Black and Tans. It is a matter of concern to a great many citizens that we should seek to confer some type of approval or be complicit in the re-writing of history.

Has the Taoiseach had any response to his representations on behalf of the Shankill bomber, Sean Kelly? Will he explain to the House why he decided to take up the cudgels in respect of that case? To my knowledge, he has not made representations in respect of any person returned to prison, so why has he done it in that case?

Is the Taoiseach aware of the comments by the SDLP MLA, Dr. Seán Farren, about events at the Orange parade in Ballymena last night and the policing of same by the PSNI? Has he or does he intend to make representations to the British Government or to the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland in respect of the incidents that occurred at Ballymena?

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