Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)

The prize of peace has been hard won and the two Governments, together with the Northern Ireland Executive, must act with absolute resolve. It is clear the institutions which have been built up through the peace process are strong and that what is now needed is a redoubling of efforts on all sides to reach communities which are being targeted by such groups which wish to return to an endless cycle of pointless sectarian violence. I accept and acknowledge that there is no easy programme to implement that would get at the root causes of division and conflict at community level. It takes painstaking and relentless work. The Government has a vital role to play, in addition to all other parties, and the success achieved can be seen in the many communities in which loyalists are now in regular and positive contact with both Nationalists and groups in the Republic. There has been much ongoing dialogue and engagement with different strands, traditions and communities. Will the Taoiseach agree to ask the Cabinet to bring forward additional proposals to increase the Government's work with communities in the North? I refer, in particular, to building on the reconciliation grants that emanate from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and the peace agreements through European Union programmes. Given the seriousness of what has occurred, a stronger and more proactive role should be taken on board by the Government.

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