Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)

Is the Taoiseach concerned about the slippage that has taken place since the St. Andrews Agreement? The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland said in the House of Commons last night that there would no longer be nominations to the positions of First Minister and Deputy First Minister but that the parties would indicate their willingness to take those posts when the Assembly met on Friday. Does the Taoiseach believe there is a major difference between nominating and indicating? What is his position on that?

Was it not the expectation after the St. Andrews Agreement that Sinn Féin would move quickly on policing? That has not happened.

Is the slippage because of DUP pressure? What is the Taoiseach's assessment of the DUP's willingness to share power? Does he believe the central commitment to do so exists?

Is the Taoiseach aware of any side deals having been done? What undertaking has he given on representation in the Houses of the Oireachtas? Is there an explicit commitment on that issue about which we ought to be concerned? Is the Taoiseach concerned the process appears to be in another logjam? The Taoiseach's position has been that the Attorney General cannot advise on a referendum, mooted by the Taoiseach as a possible requirement arising from the St. Andrews Agreement, until the legislation in the House of Commons is enacted. Given the guillotine imposed on the legislation in the House of Commons, meaning it went through in one day, the prospect of its being amended is remote. Is the Taoiseach in a position yet to say whether his Government will hold a referendum arising from the St. Andrews Agreement? If he is not yet in a such a position when, given that the legislation is before the House of Lords and will be completed today, will he be able to tell the House whether it is his intention to hold a referendum in this jurisdiction?

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