Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

I agree with the sentiments Deputy Kenny expressed, including the need for this House to take time tomorrow, in a structured debate by way of an agreed motion, to make clear its repugnance at this attempt by self-appointed people who claim to speak on behalf of the Irish people. They have no mandate to do so. These are dastardly deeds, cowardly acts, the wanton murders of three individuals and the serious injury of others who will, hopefully, continue to recover. Tomorrow we should make it very clear, both at home and abroad, that this peace process belongs to the people of Ireland, that the people's will shall not be undermined by anybody in this country who seeks to speak in their names and that we are unequivocal, as we always have been in this House, about those who seek to claim political ends through violent means. There is no politics to this; it is murder, plain and simple. We will work with the PSNI through our authorities, our security services and the Garda Síochána, in every way we can to ensure the subversive threat to our hard-won democracy will not be subject to such actions by people who speak for nobody.

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