Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)

With regard to the second issue raised by the Deputy, I am aware that the appointment of the interim Commissioner for Victims is being investigated by the British Attorney General. The process was regarded as not being properly followed, issues arose with regard to cross-community support and the matter is under investigation. I have not raised the matter with the Prime Minister, Mr. Blair, because I have not met him since it arose. We are awaiting the outcome of the investigation by the Attorney General, so I do not think it necessary for me to raise the matter. I do not know how quickly the investigation will be completed.

On the issue of policing, my reply to Deputy Rabbitte's question outlined the contents of the pledge and what people must sign up to before we can bring the Executive into being. I hope everybody will sign the pledge. If everybody signs the pledge, everybody is signed up to policing and because nobody is excluded from signing the pledge, nobody is excluded from signing up to policing. Deputy Ferris will be aware of the discussions we have had on the St. Andrews Agreement and that his own party has to deal with the policing issues. I understand that Sinn Féin is following a process, which was explained to me, and I hope that process will be completed sooner rather than later. That is a matter for the organisation of the Deputy's own party affairs, which are not my responsibility. He knows, however, that we cannot establish a working Executive next March unless the pledge is signed and that signing it will require his party to make a decision.

I am aware of the difficulties surrounding MI5 which have been raised by Sinn Féin and other parties. We have been endeavouring to find a resolution to these and, in fairness to the Prime Minister, Mr. Blair, he is personally and directly engaged in trying to resolve the issue. Sinn Féin and the SDLP have raised the issue, Deputy Ferris has expressed his views on it and we have been supportive in seeking a resolution.

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