Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)

Like the Ceann Comhairle, I am glad to see that Deputy Ó Caoláin is well.

On the closure of Bessbrook, the demilitarisation process continues and I am very pleased to see this. On Deputy Ó Caoláin's question, demilitarisation is raised on an almost daily basis by either myself, more often the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Deputy Dermot Ahern, or officials. It is a weekly if not almost a daily item of business and will continue to be. It has especially been the case throughout the year as we have moved towards normalisation that the issue has been raised daily in respect of various bases and infrastructural projects we wish to see dismantled and moved on. We note the significant and continual progress that is being made and will continue to emphasise that.

It is disappointing that the Public Prosecution Service of Northern Ireland has found there is insufficient evidence at this time for further prosecutions arising out of the third Stevens report on collusion between loyalist paramilitaries and the security forces. It is a disappointing development not least, as Deputy Ó Caoláin said, for the Finucane family. The finding does not alter the need for an independent inquiry and to allay any other concerns surrounding this case as I documented here during the life of the last Dáil time out of number. That will continue to be our stated position. It is the Government's view that the finding adds to the case for an independent inquiry. It is the attitude we will persist with. The House passed a very clear motion in support of the Finucane family in the last Dáil and called for a full, independent judicial inquiry. I am sure that is also the view of this Dáil. It has been a long-standing position of the Government and remains so. We remain in touch with the Finucane family and will continue to offer our full support in every way at home and abroad, especially in the USA and Europe.

We are at the final stage of preparations for the meeting of the North-South Ministerial Council. While the North-South Ministerial Council and the intergovernmental British Irish Council meetings will take place close in time to each other, it has not yet been possible due to the change of Prime Minister in the UK to tie down dates for the latter. We hope to do so shortly and to be in a position to move on both dates. The hope that the new Prime Minister, Gordon Brown, would attend the BIC has been the reason for waiting for a sign-off date.

We are ready and the agenda and work of Ministers across Departments has been finalised on our side and is fairly close to finalisation on the Executive side. It is hoped the meeting will take place as soon as possible.

With regard to reporting on it, I have no difficulty with what Deputy Ó Caoláin stated. Obviously, during questions on Northern Ireland here, I will give a report from my perspective as I used to do previously when it met. It will also involve detailed work by most Departments so the relevant Minister should also answer in his or her area. The preparatory work has been done and there is an enormous, exciting and dynamic agenda across Departments. It is necessary and important that it is debated here and that colleagues answer questions here on the progress which takes place between them and the Executive on an ongoing basis.

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