Dáil debates

Wednesday, 6 October 2010

11:00 am

Photo of Martin FerrisMartin Ferris (Kerry North, Sinn Fein)

At the outset I would like to say that regarding the bombing in Derry, Martin McGuinness made Sinn Féin's position quite clear. Such activities do nothing to advance the cause that all of us hope to see, namely, a united Ireland. The motivation behind some of those people currently involved in trying to destabilise and undermine the peace process is questionable, and our position is clear on that.

Does the Taoiseach agree that in the context of the continuing implementation of the Good Friday Agreement there is huge scope not only for co-operation but integration services? I refer to the statement by the Stormont health Minister, Michael McGimpsey, of 14 September 2010 that he and the Minister for Health and Children, Deputy Harney, had decided not to take forward or to publish the North-South feasibility report on co-operation on health. That study recommends much more extensive co-operation in health services, including provision of surgical procedures on an all-island basis that people currently must leave Ireland to access. Is it in line with Government policy on all-Ireland co-operation for a Minister here to agree to suppress such a report? Why should the report not be published and implemented?

In his meeting with the British Prime Minister, did the Taoiseach bring the Prime Minister's attention to the unanimous call from all parties in this Dáil in July 2008 for the British Government to allow access by an independent international judicial figure to all original documents held by it relating to the atrocities that occurred in this jurisdiction, which were inquired into by Mr. Justice Barron, in order to assist in the resolution of these crimes? If he did, what was the Prime Minister's response? If the Taoiseach did not raise the matter, why not?

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