Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)

The question most observers will want to ask the Taoiseach is if he will state the basis of the assurance he received yesterday from the British Prime Minister that the DUP is prepared to commit to power sharing after the elections on 7 March, in particular having regard to this morning's comments by the DUP MP, Willie McCrea, who seemed to say the opposite. In the event the DUP does not agree to share power with the other parties concerned, will he outline the contingency plans the two Governments have?

Having regard to the decision by Sinn Féin, which I am sure everybody in this House welcomes, and the delay in convening the Ard-Fheis and making that decision, the window of manoeuvrability is very brief. Does the Taoiseach have any concerns in that regard?

The Taoiseach said he raised the Nuala O'Loan report on collusion with the British Prime Minister yesterday. I raised this issue in the House in 2005 at the request of Raymond McCord. The Taoiseach subsequently met Mr. McCord in respect of the experience of his son. Having regard to the horror revealed in the ombudsman's report, what response did he receive from the British Prime Minister? Was the role of Sir Ronnie Flanagan, who was head of the special branch and chief constable at material times, raised? Does the Taoiseach have any reservations about the fact Sir Ronnie Flanagan was on the interview committee which selected Kathleen O'Toole as chief inspector of the Garda Inspectorate?

Did the Taoiseach hear yesterday morning's interview with Robert McCartney's sister, Catherine? Does he accept it is the litmus test of the bona fides of Sinn Féin that it come forward now with information about the grotesque murder of Robert McCartney and instruct people in possession of such information to make it known to the PSNI?

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