Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)

At the outset, I once again unreservedly condemn and reject the activities of those groups which seek to lock their communities into perpetual conflict and whose actions are clearly designed to undermine and thwart the democratically agreed strategy of the vast majority of republican activists across this island in pursuit of our national and republican objectives.

I take this opportunity to commend all involved in the negotiations that concluded at Hillsborough Castle. I welcome the transfer of policing and justice powers from London to Belfast. It is a very important achievement and I am particularly proud of the role my party colleagues, the Sinn Féin negotiation team, played in bringing that about. The role of the DUP and others involved in this must also be acknowledged because what we have arrived at is an agreement made in Ireland. The powers, which will directly affect the daily life and condition of ordinary people, have been taken from London to Ireland where they are under democratically accountable oversight. That is a very positive step and must be seen and appreciated by all in that regard.

What increased efforts is the Taoiseach making, or planning to make, in regard to other elements of the Good Friday Agreement, as yet unrealised? I speak specifically of the Bill of Rights for the North, Acht na Gaeilge - the Irish language Act - and the all-Ireland inter-parliamentary forum, and I acknowledge the Ceann Comhairle's role directly in all of that. I am also familiar with the reports back to our working group in the Houses of the Oireachtas.

In regard to the policing and justice transfer, is the Taoiseach in a position to let us know whether he, in discussions with the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, has considered what new areas of co-operation can now be developed? We now have a situation where the policy and management of policing is vested in the island of Ireland, in Belfast. For example, I refer to the whole area of co-operation in combatting illegal drugs. Perhaps it might be no harm to mention so-called legal drugs in this jurisdiction which, I understand, may already, or very shortly, be regarded as illegal under plans to so describe substances that are currently available in head shops in this jurisdiction. Legislation is pending in the North and in Britain to put these on the list of banned substances. Can the Taoiseach indicate any increased address of the level of co-operation in combatting that very serious area of concern to all of us?

I refer to a response I received a short time ago from the Taoiseach's Department to a parliamentary question on Justice for the Forgotten and its role in representing the victims and survivors of the Dublin and Monaghan bombings of 17 May 1974. As a Deputy for more than 13 years, I have at all times received a response from the Department of the Taoiseach to questions on this matter. I was alarmed the question was refused. This is the first time that has happened. The Taoiseach previously responded, as did his predecessor, to all my experience as a Deputy.

I was further alarmed by a response I secured from the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform in regard to the same matter. It stated that it is advised that the funding for Justice for Forgotten, which is the only representative body of victims of the conflict in the North of Ireland in this jurisdiction, is no longer available to it and that a decision has been taken to cease the funding stream to this very important organisation which is doing hugely important work. I make an appeal to the Taoiseach in recognition of the fact that the work of Justice for the Forgotten has not yet ceased. The group has not yet achieved its goals and objectives in terms of bringing the whole sad story behind the Dublin-Monaghan bombings and other such incidents within the Twenty-six Counties area of our country to finality and closure for the victims, their families and the survivors of these atrocities. Will the Taoiseach please ensure that a funding stream is re-opened to Justice for the Forgotten as its position is untenable? The scenario it now faces is that it will not be able to maintain its office and continue its work after a short period of weeks leading into the summer period of this year. I ask the Taoiseach to take this opportunity to confirm that the matter will be reconsidered favourably.

See this speech in context