Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)

There is greater need than ever for leadership on both sides regarding this issue, and we hope that we will see that tomorrow and in the coming weeks. If we fall at any hurdle, we will move to the situation indicated, namely, plan B. However, that is not the preferred option of either Government. We want devolved government to be restored to Northern Ireland.

Leadership is required on the part of the DUP to show that it is quite prepared to share power with Nationalists under the arrangements laid down in the Good Friday Agreement. Equally, movement is needed on the part of the Deputy's party on policing. We have heard it stated time and time again that it is prepared to move on policing, and now we would like to see the colour of its money in that respect. We would like to see Sinn Féin propose an Ard-Fheis to discuss the issue, one hopes moving positively towards acceptance of policing. That sooner that it happens, the better.

The two Governments have always believed, from the time of their move regarding the culmination of discussions in St. Andrews, that 24 November would be a significant date. On the one hand, it would show clearly that the DUP is willing to sit in government with Nationalists on a power-sharing basis under the Good Friday Agreement. Second, it would show that the Deputy's party was prepared to move on the policing issue.

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