Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)

The memorandum of understanding on information-sharing arrangements between Ireland and the United Kingdom, including Northern Ireland, relating to sex offenders has been negotiated between the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform and the UK Home Office. The Tánaiste has received Government approval for its signing. It will be signed next Monday by the Tánaiste and the Home Office Minister at Hillsborough. The memorandum includes most of the outstanding issues. It is not the perfect solution we would like if the North-South bodies were fully operational but it avoids some of the difficulties that have occurred. It is a useful exercise.

With regard to sectarianism, Deputy Sargent is correct that there are still many worrying issues even though a great deal of work has been done by the parties in an effort to make progress across the peace lines and the sectarian divide. There has been unprecedented dialogue and many of the groups which receive funding have been trying to broaden their horizons. That is helpful but the sectarian element was still visible during the summer months, in particular, where people were forced out of housing estates into sectarian areas, and these activities continue.

A number of initiatives have been taken recently regarding the removal of graffiti and emblems of all sides and kinds from estates. Projects have been proposed and resources have been provided by the NIO to some loyalist communities in order to end the attempts at ownership of these estates in the face of Nationalists and vice versa. These have been helpful where they worked. Parties have also made good efforts at building community relations.

Progress is being made on the relatively small number of flashpoints that remain for summer parades. These flashpoints create tension during the months that precede and follow them, so that half the year passes and only the winter period remains for making progress. Some attempts have been made in that regard because they are extremely important in terms of removing sectarianism. The more understanding people on all sides have about them, the better. The only way to deal with the matter is through direct dialogue between the Orange Order and communities. Such dialogue has been conducted successfully in Derry and it would be helpful if it took place in other areas. In Drumcree, both sides need to find a solution to the issue because it remains a problem for Portadown and surrounding areas. On the Lower Ormeau Road, difficulties arise in terms of coming back through the flashpoint of Ardoyne, where at 9 o'clock every 12 July, one can be sure issues will arise. These outstanding issues, which continue to create sectarian tensions, are not many in number but they are extremely important. Apart from the political issue, we could move them on.

In terms of the Oireachtas, if we established an all-party committee and engaged with Northern parties, we could help in a meaningful way. Airing and discussing these issues in this House with representatives from the North would help, as well as give us a chance — if I can express myself diplomatically — to expose people to the reality of some of these issues.

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