Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)

At the outset, I thank the Ceann Comhairle for his kind remarks.

Will the Taoiseach join me in commending the people of south Armagh who for decades have had to endure the British occupation of their community and environment and who yesterday saw a significant milestone towards the total demilitarisation of their area, and indeed of the Six Counties area, with the decision of the British Army to vacate its post at Bessbrook? Has the Taoiseach raised the issue of total demilitarisation with the outgoing British Prime Minister? Has he immediate plans to address this issue with the new Prime Minister taking up office tomorrow?

Will the Taoiseach raise as a matter of urgency the decision announced yesterday by the Public Prosecution Service in the Six Counties not to press charges against any British soldier or RUC officer for the murder of Pat Finucane with the new British Prime Minister, Gordon Brown? Given that decision, what renewed efforts do the Taoiseach and his Government propose to take to see the establishment of the international independent public inquiry which has been sought by the Finucane family and which was, as he will recall, unanimously backed by all parties and Members in this House during the last Dáil? Does he agree that the refusal of the British Government to act on this issue is most likely out of the desire to protect named individuals and others unknown, including Brigadier Gordon Kerr, the former head of the force research unit which ran the loyalist paramilitary agents who is now a senior British army officer serving in Iraq? Does the Taoiseach share the strongly held view that the British Government's refusal to act in line with the Finucane family's demand is in order to protect Brigadier Kerr and out of fear of the information he might disclose if subjected to scrutiny and questioning on collusion during his years serving in the North of Ireland?

The Taoiseach referred to the all-Ireland ministerial council. When does he expect the first meeting of the council will take place? Will the Taoiseach initiate in the new Dáil a report-back procedure to provide Members with an opportunity to participate in and ask questions about the workings of the council? Does the Taoiseach agree it is extremely important that the House recognises the importance of the all-Ireland ministerial council? As the elected voices of the people in this part of Ireland, Members should have the opportunity to be fully apprised of the council's work and make direct contributions to assist it in the conduct of its business and to help it reach its full potential as an all-Ireland council of Ministers.

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