Dáil debates

Tuesday, 26 June 2007

2:30 pm

Photo of Enda KennyEnda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)

The Taoiseach will recall that, following a proposal put forward by the Fine Gael Party last year, the House unanimously supported the call for a public inquiry into the death of Pat Finucane. His family live on and a grave injustice was done. Judge Cory recommended that a full-scale public inquiry should take place. Does the Taoiseach accept he failed to convince Prime Minister Tony Blair of the need for a public inquiry in this case where a glaring injustice must be rectified?

In accepting this failure to convince Prime Minister Blair, will the Taoiseach tell the House that he will take it up as a priority with his successor, Prime Minister-elect Gordon Brown, to be appointed tomorrow? The proposal was unanimously supported in this House by all parties and none. This is a glaring injustice in the background to the Northern Ireland Troubles, which have evolved to the peace we have today.

In the context of the North-South Ministerial Council, what is the status of the Taoiseach's proposal to allow Seanad speaking rights to Northern Ireland representatives in view of the fact an all-party Oireachtas committee will deal with this issue? When does the Taoiseach expect the council to commence its first meeting? Is the Taoiseach's Seanad speaking rights proposal now withdrawn?

According to Queen's University, Belfast, young boys and men appear to be far more prone to suffering the effects and after-effects of sectarianism in Northern Ireland. What efforts is the Government making to support combatting sectarianism and dealing with its consequences? A group was established to examine the legacy of the Troubles in terms of its social effects on young men and women and the population in general and former Primate Robin Eames, Denis Bradley and others were extremely vocal on this issue. What is the Government's view in this regard?

At the Taoiseach's recent meeting with Archbishop Tutu of South Africa, the possibility of a peace and reconciliation forum was discussed at some length. Is this a runner or will it supersede the forum dealing with the legacy of the Troubles?

The corporation tax rate is an incentive for this country and has been for a long time. Big and small business and business interest groups throughout the country have suggested an equalisation of corporation tax rates North and South to build an Ireland economic entity of which the Taoiseach spoke and which we all support. Has the Taoiseach put any initial proposals to the Chancellor of the Exchequer and will he raise this matter with him when he becomes Prime Minister tomorrow? The Northern Ireland economy is referred to as a "basket case" during the doling out of the grant from the British Government every year. If the island is to become attractive economically, surely this should be of critical importance to the incoming British Prime Minister. Has the Taoiseach raised that issue and will he ensure it is a priority when he next meets with the British Prime Minister?

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