Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)

If we do, I do not disagree that we must then find a new way forward. We have given that some thought, but not much because we do not want to have to. If we get to a situation where we cannot get a working executive going, then obviously we must look again. It is not something on which I want to speculate or comment, but we could get to that position this year because we will not let this drift.

I replied to Deputy Rabbitte about the shadow Assembly. It is best that the Assembly meets in the form that we understand as the Assembly. It would be useful, because it has not met for more than three years, to have a time zone to try to deal with some issues. It may not prove productive and it may not prove possible, but in our thoughts at least we are looking at that possibility. That time zone will obviously be nothing other than a fixed period where we would try to build confidence.

Significant progress has been made in Northern Ireland to date. We have seen the latest reports on all fronts last week and they are positive, but it is crucial to have the political representatives meeting in a way that they can do their business. That is the challenge now, when some of the other aspects are working effectively.

It is possible to get back to the December 2004 position. I still believe now, even though it is a long time since that period, that the DUP was very close and ready to make a move on that occasion. I really believe that and I think most other people do too. I will not go back over all the events that scared that all off but we came to a position where we had to start developing trust and confidence to build that up again. We have not reached that point yet and I do not know if we can reach it in a relatively short time, but we must try. To abandon the Good Friday Agreement and move on to a plan B without trying to do that would be reckless. I have argued since the beginning of the year — I need not argue too much with most people — is that it is right that we give it a period. To get the Assembly to meet on a Tuesday, move the d'Hondt mechanism on Wednesday and break up on Thursday is not a bright idea. I hope nobody asks me to do that because there would be not much point in doing so. We must find a more useful and productive mechanism of trying to restore the Assembly. Other than that, I think we can do it.

I discussed the issue of rendition and the use of Shannon Airport with the President. We recently received assurances and nothing was said other than a clear position that this country has not been used in that regard. I have not stated, as the Deputy implied, that somewhere else was not used. I never said that. We sought assurances about Ireland and Shannon.

I also raised the issue that we would like to see more transparency associated with the transit of any CIA aircraft through Shannon in the future with a view to alleviating the concerns. We have left it for officials to discuss how that is done. While the President did not seem to be opposed to it, he did not agree either. It is something we should pursue at official level. We did not get to the stage of agreeing or disagreeing on it. I explained to him the problem, the difficulty and the perceptions and he understands that.

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