Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)

Let Deputy Kenny note that the so-called Colombia Three are certainly not raising money for Sinn Féin's electoral effort.

Is this a bridge too far or a bridge we can all live with? I noted the Taoiseach's responses earlier. Does he agree that if the Good Friday Agreement is to be implemented, the following steps must be taken — I emphasis, they must be taken now — first, the British Government must lift the suspension of the Assembly; second, the Assembly must reconvene; third, there must be the election of the First Minister, the Deputy First Minister and the Executive in place; and, fourth, all the outstanding bodies, including the All-Ireland Ministerial Council, must be fully restored.

Does the Taoiseach agree that the process I have outlined should be set in train now, with the British Government lifting the suspension of the Assembly? If, in the period between the lifting of the suspension and the date set for the election of the executive, the DUP continues to refuse to share power, does the Taoiseach agree the only option remaining to both Governments at that time would be to close the Assembly? Does he agree that a sham Assembly with no executive and no all-Ireland structures would be nothing more than an unacceptable failure? Is it not the case that the British Government should now proceed to take the relevant and important steps to set the process back on track, to test the democratic commitment of the DUP and to put it to the democratic test? Is that not what is now required to move us out of the current situation? If that cannot succeed, if the DUP will not be a party to that arrangement, is it not time then to write plan B?

On the allied questions about the Taoiseach's recent visit to the United States and his contact with President Bush, I wish to ask about the CIA flights and rendition and the use of Shannon Airport. In his opportunities with President Bush, did the Taoiseach not put it to him that if, as they assert and the Taoiseach appears to accept readily, they are innocent of any of the claims or suggestions made of rendition taking place and Shannon being used to accommodate and facilitate the transfer of persons who have been taken, abducted, imprisoned or whatever description the Taoiseach chooses, there should be no difficulty in having the planes inspected as a matter of course and routine?

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