Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)

I thank the Taoiseach for his reply. There is a possibility for progress through that mechanism.

In Belfast on Monday, I met the Secretary of State and leaders of most of the parties for an up-to-date review on the current position. I also met representatives of Co-operation Ireland. Its chief executive, Mr. Peter Sheridan, gave a very fine presentation on what the organisation is doing to point vulnerable young people in communities in a different and better direction. I understand the première of a movie that the organisation made on gangs and their impact will be in the ODEON this Friday. The point being made was that the Governments on both sides should not pull out of the programme too early because recruitment is taking place again on both sides of the divide. The Government should be very cognisant of this. I was informed that the term "dissidents" is a misnomer because it puts people into a particular category and ascribes to them a certain way of life. The term is not reflective of the reality of what can happen. People should be diverted from its use and they should use instead "anti-Irish" or another such term.

Perhaps the Taoiseach will review the involvement of the Irish and British Governments in the programmes that are paying dividends. Co-operation Ireland, for instance, must do considerable fund-raising itself to keep the programmes in place. The Government should not withdraw from the programmes too soon. We all support the peace process and the institutions and platforms, but peace lines are being built again and significant elements of social housing are segregated. Clearly there is a rising number involved in dissident activities. The Aughnacloy and Dundalk bomb factories are clear evidence that there is no longer just talk but a movement towards practical destruction, with all its consequences. Younger people who get sucked into this whirlpool at an early date could well be encouraged in time not to go down that road through the programmes in place. I strongly suggest to the Taoiseach that the Government review its participation level in the programmes, which pay dividends. It is of interest to the Government and everyone else that an escalation of violence not happen in the future. Perhaps the Taoiseach would like to comment on that.

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