Liz McManus (Wicklow, Labour)

Returning to the Taoiseach's first statement on the totality of IRA weaponry having been decommissioned, will he deal with recent reports in the media that the IRA may have been permitted to keep several hundred weapons for its own use? Has he an assurance from the British Government or General de Chastelain that no side deal has been done in this regard? In the period between now and the publication of the second IMC report in the new year, how does the Taoiseach intend to encourage dialogue between the parties in Northern Ireland?

I am sure the Taoiseach is well aware that there was much dismay and frustration, particularly on the part of the SDLP, in how it was excluded from the process leading up to the failed Leeds Castle negotiations. Will he ensure that parties like the SDLP and others will all be included in the discussions and dialogue, if there are any? It should not be simply a matter for the two Governments to meet between now and the new year.

The Taoiseach has finally stated he will write to the leaders of the Opposition parties with regard to the recommendations of the All-Party Committee on the Constitution, which I welcome. The recommendations were designed carefully to ensure the Good Friday Agreement is not undermined. Will they be the sole subject of his correspondence?

As far as the Rafferty family is concerned, does the Taoiseach agree this family, like the McCartney family, has shown extraordinary courage and bravery in circumstances no Member would wish to experience? The Taoiseach has stated he will raise this matter the next time he meets the Sinn Féin leader. Will this be an official or an unofficial meeting? In view of the comments he has made in the House, will the Taoiseach state whether a minute is kept of unofficial meetings? While he has stated there is no difference between the two, the records of these meetings are of central importance. Is a record kept of these unofficial meetings? There is no reason why one cannot have an official meeting without photographs, but it is not possible to have one without a record or without civil servants. Hence, there is a difference. When the Taoiseach meets on the issue of the murder of Mr. Joseph Rafferty, will a minute be kept, will it be an official meeting and will it be an ongoing issue for him?

In respect of the Colombia three, has the Government received a formal request for extradition from the Colombian authorities and will the Taoiseach comment?

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