Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)

I am in a position to provide such an assurance. As indicated on Question Time, I spoke to the First Minister, Mr. Peter Robinson MLA, and to the Deputy First Minister, Mr. Martin McGuinness, MLA. In addition, the Minister for Justice and Equality spoke to his counterpart in Northern Ireland, Mr. David Ford, MLA. I have also spoken to the British Prime Minister and pledged the Government's support for both the Northern Ireland Assembly and the British Government in the wake of this act of cowardice. I assure Deputy Martin that the level of co-operation between the Garda and the PSNI - both of which the Deputy and I support - is at an all-time high.

I received a security briefing yesterday from the Garda Commissioner. From his time in Government, the Deputy would have experience of such briefings. The Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade and the Minister for Justice and Equality also attended the briefing to which I refer. We were provided with an assurance that there is active and intense co-operation between the Garda and the PSNI and that this will continue. The resources necessary to underpin this high level of co-operation will be provided.

It is clear from what we heard at the briefing that in the past, lives have been saved and dastardly acts have been prevented. It is most tragic that in this instance a young man lost his life. The Garda Commissioner has confirmed that the co-operation and involvement between Garda Síochána and the PSNI is what the Deputy, I and everyone else would expect it to be, namely, of the highest calibre possible. There is no difficulty with regard to the transmission of information, where relevant, between the Garda and the PSNI. I hope that the intensity of the relationship between the two forces will ensure that the perpetrators of this murder, whomever they may be, will be brought to justice and punished accordingly.

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