Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)

As a previous speaker stated, this is the type of discussion in which we had hoped we would never be obliged to engage again in the House. I join Members from all parties in turning my thoughts to Ronan Kerr and his grieving family. We offer our profound sympathy to Ronan's family, his friends and the PSNI on the loss of a beloved son, brother, friend and colleague. Members all share the sense of loss.

Ronan Kerr was a young and public-spirited man. On Saturday last, the evil actions of a few deprived the people of this island of a fine Irishman and a committed public servant, a policeman who sought to devote himself to the protection and well-being of his community. His murderers robbed Ronan of his life. They robbed Ronan's mother of her son and the happiness that had come with seeing her child grow to maturity and fulfilment. The individuals to whom I refer robbed Ronan's brothers and sister of the love and companionship of their big brother. However, they also robbed every one of us on this island of the potential which Ronan's life held and all that his life might have been.

We in this House stand together to make clear our absolute condemnation of this crime and of those who committed it. The unity of the message which has come from those on all sides of the Chamber is unsurprising and reflects the genuine shock, sorrow and disbelief of those we represent that such an atrocity should occur. We stand together with people from all sides of the community in Northern Ireland and with their elected representatives. Once again they have shown their strength of purpose and their determination to preserve and protect the peace which has been achieved on our island. Once again this House has shown its determination to work tirelessly to ensure this island which we all share will have an ever hopeful future and that we will not be dragged back to the violence of the past.

On Sunday last I spoke to the First Minister, Mr. Peter Robinson, MLA, and the Deputy First Minister, Mr. Martin McGuinness, MLA, and I am aware that the shared sense of purpose, North and South, is deeply valued. I also spoke to the Secretary of State, Mr. Owen Paterson, on Saturday last. As co-guarantors of the British-Irish Agreement, the Irish and British Governments will continue to work together to support the Executive in order to ensure that the potential of the Agreement for a shared and better future will be fully realised. This tiny minority, without conscience or mandate, will not be allowed to deflect or deter the work of a generation of Irish men and women.

Ronan Kerr chose to build a career in a transformed police service increasingly representative of the entire community and supported across the political spectrum. It is this very openness - this positive change - that Ronan's murderers fear. As a result, they seek to deny change through callous acts of violence and intimidation. However, they will not succeed because the ordinary men and women of this island will not allow them to do so. We will not be bullied back down the blind alleys of the past. We the people of Ireland, North and South, set our course for change when we adopted the British-Irish Agreement. We opted for peace, reconciliation and a shared future within agreed political structures. We took our decision democratically, through the ballot box - that most definitive, effective and enduring of all political weapons.

I join Ronan's brave mother, Nuala, in her call for us all to "stand up and be counted". We will stand up together, whether northerner, southerner, Nationalist, republican, Unionist, loyalist, Catholic, Protestant or none of the above. We will stand up together for peace for ourselves and our children, for justice for Ronan Kerr's family and in support of the men and women in the PSNI and the Garda Síochána. I join all of those who have called on anyone with information about Ronan's murder to contact their local police force. I echo the Kerr family's message to Catholic and Nationalist members of the PSNI not to be deterred by this attack.

On behalf of the Government, I encourage men and women on all sides of the community in Northern Ireland, but particularly those from the Nationalist and republican traditions, to continue to apply to join the PSNI - their own police force, an Irish police force - in ever-increasing numbers. I encourage their families and their communities to support them and to be rightly proud of any son or daughter who wishes to play his or her part in assisting and protecting their fellow citizens.

Those who murdered Ronan will undoubtedly attempt to style themselves as republicans fighting for Ireland. It is difficult to express the anger and sadness which such a claim evokes in any genuine patriot. To commit violent acts in direct contravention of the democratically expressed will of the people of all 32 counties of the island is perverse. To claim to be opposing British rule by seeking to undermine the constitutional and political settlement freely chosen by the people of Ireland - and them alone - is absurd. To assert that the goal is a united Ireland when every action aims to divide is illogical. What is the Ireland these people seek to build? I have no answer and neither do they. They can only destroy, maim and frighten and have not the stomach or the skills for the real work of nation building.

Those of us who truly aspire to unite all the people of this island, in all the diversity of their identities and traditions, know the path. It is one of peaceful means, compromise and political persuasion. It is neither glamorous nor quick but it is true patriotism. True republicanism does not seek glory or expedience but looks to the national interest and to the good of the citizen. Constable Ronan Kerr epitomised many of the ideals of our republic. We will not allow those who murdered him to besmirch the name of Ireland or its citizens by wrapping a green flag around their shameful act.

I have seen at first hand the deep well of goodwill and support for the peace process that exists beyond these islands, and particularly in the United States of America. Secretary of State Clinton and the Friends of Ireland congressional group have condemned the murder of Ronan Kerr in the strongest terms and made clear their unstinting support for Northern Ireland's political leadership and the peace process. I draw the attention of the House to the words of Congressman Richard E. Neal who, I believe, perfectly captures the feelings of Irish people at home and abroad. He stated:

Those responsible for this murder are cowards. If these criminals think they are going to turn back the clock and stop the change that is happening across Northern Ireland they are mistaken. They have no support on the island of Ireland and they have no support in the United States of America. Quite simply, they are on the wrong side of history and they must be brought to justice. The overwhelming majority of the people in Northern Ireland support the democratic institutions and want peace and reconciliation. The United States supports their hopes and aspirations during this sad and difficult hour. We will continue to stand with them as they work together to transform their society and to build a shared future.

This evening, all of us in this House have expressed that willingness to stand together. I note the comments of Deputy Martin, who said we want to send a clear message. I thank him for his support of the Government in any measure needed to combat those who are responsible. Earlier today, Deputy Martin and others proposed that an all-Party motion be tabled. I understand arrangements are being made to do that tomorrow. A draft is in circulation and I think it will be agreed formally. It will express the unanimous and strong views of the House condemning the murder of Ronan Kerr, expressing our sympathy with his family, friends and colleagues and calling for those responsible to be brought to justice.

I listened to the contribution of Deputy Adams, who also unequivocally condemned the murder. I heard his comments recalling his party's offer to meet some of the groups who reject the Good Friday Agreement. That offer is helpful and should be supported. There can be no doubt of where Deputy Adams stands on this issue. I heard his comments.

It is clear that the House strongly and unanimously condemns this murder and supports the efforts of the PSNI and the Garda Síochána in bringing those responsible to justice. I expect that, tomorrow morning, we will agree the motion reflecting those sentiments.

I thank all Members who contributed to the debate.

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