Brian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)

I am sure the Taoiseach is aware that many Members of this House, including myself, are members of the British Irish Parliamentary Assembly, formerly the British Irish Interparliamentary Body. That body does good work in trying to pursue a number of the issues in which the British Irish Council is involved. Does the Taoiseach consider as useful the suggestion that we might have a debate after Council meetings at which he, as Head of Government represents our country? Such a debate could be similar in format to those that follow a short period after EU summit meetings. In that way, issues such as the mutual recognition of penalty points and other issues that need to be dealt with on an east-west and North-South basis could be examined. Would the Taoiseach consider that suggestion?

Does the Taoiseach agree with me that one of the great successes in the immediate aftermath of the Omagh atrocity was that our security forces and those north of the Border had the capacity to sit on these people and to close them down? Many of them were known to security forces and are now in prison. The problem that has emerged since is that a younger, more vicious and unknown group has effectively taken over positions within these organisations. We have been very lucky to date. I cite the example of Castlewellan where mass murder was averted by superb intelligence and interception on the part of both security forces. Does the Taoiseach agree that the position now needs to be severely examined in terms of ramping up the work, the resources and the co-operation? I accept that these are already at a very heightened level and that must continue apace.

I am loath to ask the following question because I believe I know the answer but it would be useful to have it put on the record. Is it the case that there are no circumstances whereby any formal, informal, backchat or back-channel discussions could occur during the next while with these two organisations, or with other self-styled republican groups, as a means of trying to understand what they are doing? I am sure that the Taoiseach speaks for us when he says these are criminal organisations and that no effort will be made to to have discussions with them, formal or informal.

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