Tom Kitt (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)

I move amendment No.1:

To delete all words after "Dáil Éireann" and substitute the following:

"—re-affirms its commitment to the Good Friday Agreement endorsed by the people of this island speaking freely and collectively in referenda held on 22 May, 1998;

—re-affirms its view that this Agreement is the basis of a lasting settlement in Northern Ireland;

—re-affirms the right to self-determination of the people of the island of Ireland to be exercised in the manner provided for in the Good Friday Agreement;

—re-affirms its commitment to the principle of unity by consent as set out in the Agreement and endorsed by the people of this island;

—re-affirms its belief that the restoration of devolved Government on an inclusive basis is in the best interests of all communities in Northern Ireland and acknowledges that this requires the restoration of trust and confidence in the political process;

—acknowledges the significance of the IRA statement of 28 July and the potential it offers for political progress;

—welcomes the statement by the IRA that is has decommissioned all its weapons as confirmed by the IICD and urges all other paramilitary groups to engage with the IICD for the purposes of decommissioning their weapons;

—recognises the determination of the two Governments to work with the political parties to continue to restore confidence and to rebuild political momentum;

—re-affirms the total and absolute commitment set out in the Agreement to 'exclusively democratic and peaceful means of resolving differences on political issues' and in this context, calls for an end to all paramilitary and criminal activities;

—opposes any political move or initiative which would increase tensions between the two main traditions on this island, in light of the clear need to restore trust and confidence in the political process;

—supports efforts to reach out to all communities so that the peace process can move forward in a manner which leaves no one behind;

—condemns the ongoing sectarian attacks on both communities and calls on all political representatives to take a proactive stance on this issue;

—urges the authorities on both sides of the border to ensure that the full rigours of the law are used to counter those who engage in the destructive agenda of paramilitarism and sectarianism;

—calls on all parties to strengthen policing reforms and accountability by taking their places on the Policing Boards without further delay;

—notes the Seventh Report of the IMC and awaits the findings of the next IMC Report, due in January, to assess whether paramilitary groups have ceased paramilitary and criminal activity;

—calls on Sinn Féin to co-operate with the IMC;

—commends the on-going work of the North-South bodies and recognises in particular the potential benefits of all-island co-operation in the economic and social area;

—welcomes the continued and valued support of the President of the United States;

—notes the determination of the two Governments to intensify dialogue with all the Northern Ireland political parties; and

—expresses its full support for the ongoing efforts of the two Governments to bring to completion the full implementation of the Good Friday Agreement."

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