Trevor Sargent (Dublin North, Green Party)

Does the Taoiseach accept that to many people outside the House, and maybe inside it too, the peace process looks becalmed, like a duck floating on a pond, notwithstanding that its feet may be paddling away furiously below the surface of the water? Does the Taoiseach accept there is not much happening, regardless of the activity level, and that, in light of the statement of Dr. Paisley on the President and the IMC report, the restoration of the institutions looks even more distant than it did a couple of months ago? Will he take the initiative to cast the net a little wider in terms of discussions with the parties on both sides of this House and, perhaps, with groups in civil society in order to fill the vacuum with fruitful debate rather than with the activities of dissidents on all sides of the political divide? Will he agree to a meeting with the political parties represented in this House at which a non-plenary exchange of views could be expressed on the way forward? With regard to his meeting with Mr. Tony Blair on the issues of policing and the restoration of institutions, does the Taoiseach have any hopes, beyond those expressed in public, that progress is afoot?

In a Dáil reply given to me with regard to an inquiry on Pat Finucane, the Taoiseach said "the Government wants the standard agreed at Weston Park and set by Judge Cory to be adhered to". What exactly does that mean and how has the objective been pursued? Is there any point at which it becomes unacceptable to deal with people who have walked away from the standard agreed at Weston Park? Is pressure being exerted to ensure this inquiry will be held?

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