Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)

I thank the Taoiseach for his responses. In regard to the A5-N2, there remains an amount of confusion in regard to the intentions concerning the development on this side of the Border - that element within County Monaghan from Clontibret to the Border at or near Aughnacloy. In the absence of the Taoiseach's ability to answer the question directly today, is it possible he would ask that clarification be forwarded to me? There is great concern that this will not be an A5-N2 but an A5 only, which would be a mistake with serious consequences. We definitely need to see that joined up and properly considered.

With regard to the earlier questions on the Middletown project, while I welcome that the Taoiseach will have an update transmitted to me, there is a tremendous concern among families and the organisations which represent families with children on the autism spectrum as to the Government's intentions vis-À-vis this project. This was jointly announced by the then Minister for Education and Science, Deputy Michael Woods, and the then Minister for Education, Mr. Martin McGuinness. Can the Taoiseach give an indication that he is working towards restoring the commitment that existed up to recently and that the proposed development at that site in the current year can proceed unhindered and without delay?

I note discussions are to be held between the Minister for Finance, Deputy Brian Lenihan, and the newly appointed Minister north of the Border, Mr. Sammy Wilson, on the implications of NAMA for the Six Counties. Will the Taoiseach indicate what format that engagement will take? What are the expectations of the impact of the advent of NAMA north of the Border? With legislation to come here, will due consideration be given to any impact north of the Border in the legislative preparation here? Will legislation be required in the Executive to mirror that effect and has this been considered? Can the Taoiseach give us some sense of the position?

Finally, it is appropriate that we would record a united rejection of the outrageous treatment meted out to non-national residents within the Belfast area recently. I speak specifically of people from the Roma and Romanian backgrounds who have been subjected to very severe attacks, a significant number of whom have left our shores as a result. Can we unite in agreed rejection of these outrageous racist acts?

See this speech in context