Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

In regard to the Deputy's first matter, again, as I said, issues involving intelligence and security are dealt with by the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform in terms of his ongoing contact with his counterparts across the water. I understand that various assertions or contentions were made in a television programme which are being followed up on the British side. As soon as that is done, I am sure the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform can speak to his counterpart about it and ascertain if it has brought to light anything of significance beyond what we know already. I know this is a continuing difficulty for the families and a very difficult situation. We will continue to work constructively to assist in whatever way we can on those matters.

On the question of the IRA standing down the army council, as I understand it, the IMC brought forward a very positive report in this respect, confirming that this is the case. The de facto position is that there is no activity going on from that source in respect of planning armed campaigns or being involved in organising anything that would be against the spirit or letter of the Agreement. It is important that we accept the IMC reports as they are provided to us as a continuing contribution to the peace process. That allied to the decommissioning of weapons is a very solid indication of the irreversible path that has now been taken. That should be accepted and we should move on.

On the question of the initiative with Peter Robinson, that is a matter for the private sector to take up should it so wish. What I was simply doing was showing the ability of North and South to co-operate together in an area where there could be mutual benefit. It is not a matter I monitor on a monthly, weekly or bimonthly basis; it is simply a positive indication to the people on both sides of the Border that it is possible to devise strategies and common approaches which address issues from our and their points of view. There is a need for us to continue to explore and exploit across a whole range of public policy how we can demonstrate to our constituents on both sides of the Border that this is possible, doable and that there is a political will to get on with it.

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