Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 1 to 20, inclusive, together.

I met the UK Prime Minister, Mr. Brown, and discussed the political situation in Northern Ireland on Thursday, 14 January in Downing Street and again on Monday, 25 January. From there we travelled to Hillsborough Castle where we held talks over three days with all the Northern Ireland parties on outstanding issues relating to the devolution of policing and justice. During these talks we worked hard to establish common ground, to build dialogue between the parties, and to re-establish the trust necessary to complete the devolution of policing and justice in Northern Ireland.

The Good Friday Agreement provided the foundation for peace and political progress, and the St. Andrew's Agreement was a major step forward. However, a number of issues remain to be fully implemented. Resolving these issues is the key to enabling the completion of devolution and the opening of a new chapter in the life of Northern Ireland. The devolved institutions can then focus on the issues that concern everyone — jobs, health, schools, social services and community safety.

We do not pretend this is an easy process. The issues we have been discussing go to the very core of Northern Ireland's past and their solutions are the foundations for its future. However, we have been determined to bring this process to completion. Progress has been made inch by inch, slowly but surely. Having talked to all the leaders of Northern Ireland's political parties, we believe there is a clear pathway to an agreement. It is right and necessary that the parties themselves now work together, in the spirit of trust and understanding, to agree and take ownership of the solutions.

We believe there is now a firm basis for the parties to set an early date for the completion of the final stage of devolution; create a new justice Department and define the relationship between the justice Minister and the Executive on an agreed, strong and sustainable footing; benefit from the offer from the British Government of £800 million of resources for a new department of justice — money which will only be available if agreement is reached by the parties at this time; and enhance the existing framework to deal more effectively with contentious parades, learning lessons from successful local models.

The importance of these decisions for the future of Northern Ireland cannot be underestimated. With leadership and courage, they can be achieved. A successful outcome to these talks will leave Northern Ireland better able to overcome divisions and more determined to move forward together, with a greater understanding of what unites its communities. Recent acts of decommissioning, most recently by the UDA on 6 January, remind us all of the great benefits the peace process can bring and the confidence it generates in communities.

The evil criminal attack on PSNI Constable Peadar Heffron in recent weeks was a stark reminder that there remain those whose aim is to destroy all that has been achieved. The best response to give to such people is to complete the devolution of policing and justice powers, secure the stability of the devolved institutions and show that the democratic political institutions are delivering for all the people of Northern Ireland. Both Governments will continue to encourage and work with the parties to bring the outstanding issues to a successful resolution. The Minister for Foreign Affairs has spent most of the last ten days with the UK Secretary of State and the parties at the talks in Hillsborough. We will remain in close touch and will be available to further engage as required. I am grateful for the continued support of the US Administration for the peace process. The US Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton, has been in touch with the parties and offered her ongoing assistance. The US envoy to Northern Ireland, Declan Kelly, has also encouraged a successful conclusion to the talks.

I expect to visit the United States for the traditional St. Patrick's Day celebrations. My travel programme has not yet been finalised but it will include a visit to Washington DC. I expect to meet with the Ireland-America Economic Advisory Board in the course of my visit. The Irish Embassy in Washington maintains close contact with board members, who are an important source of advice and assistance for us.

With regard to the Dublin and Monaghan bombings, Deputy Ó Caoláin will be aware that the Clerk of the Dáil received a reply from the Clerk of the House of Commons arising from the Oireachtas resolution of 10 July 2008. As I have said previously in the House, any future follow-up to this should be considered in consultation with the parties and can be raised with the Whips.

There are no current plans to reconvene the Forum for Peace and Reconciliation. As the current talks process has illustrated, there is now sustained dialogue between all strands of opinion in Northern Ireland and on the island. The work of Members of this House through, for example, the Joint Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement and the British-Irish Parliamentary Assembly is also crucial in this regard.

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