Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)

I share the Deputy's view in this regard. We cannot call for others to provide funding if we are not prepared to provide some ourselves. Deputy Martin and I have discussed this matter previously. Sensitive areas and fragile communities need to have the agencies of both Governments constantly working with them. Funding of €3 million was allocated for 2011 for the reconciliation and anti-sectarianism funds. This figure matches the funding provided from 2008 to 2010. Two allocations of funding were made this year and a further round of funding allocations is expected to take place in the autumn. To date in 2011, a total of €2.194 million has been allocated to 80 groups and organisations. More than ten groups and organisations working in the Derry region received grant allocations in 2011 and many of these work with young people who are at risk of involvement in interface violence and anti-social activity. I support this funding which we will keep under review.

Everybody has a valid part to play and from that perspective the Government and agencies it supports will continue to work with our colleagues politically and at community level in the interests of everybody so as to ensure the peace process continues.

The PSNI made clear its view on who was responsible for the riots. They achieve nothing and give a bad name to the good work being done by many people in Northern Ireland on all sides of the community. It is this work that we want to continue. The focus of the Government will be on co-operation with the Executive and between the Garda and PSNI as well as providing support for communities both here and abroad. I will continue to work as we have always supported all Government activity in this area for the past 25 years.

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