Seán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)

I welcome the Minister of State's statement that there is close co-operation between the Police Service of Northern Ireland and the Garda. It is vital for that to continue. There is a need for initiatives in the Twenty-six Counties area to counter dissident activity. As we are well aware, it is happening here as well. We need to be conscious that the areas of greatest deprivation in the Six Counties are the most fruitful recruitment grounds for these dissidents. There needs to be a strong resolve on the parts of the British and Irish Governments and the Northern Ireland Executive to ensure there is a continued flow of targeted investment to combat disadvantage in such areas. I am sure the Minister of State will agree with me in that regard. Perhaps she can give some specific details of what the British and Irish Governments are doing to ensure these areas are developed. That is necessary to encourage people to move away from the path of violence and to reduce the attraction of dissident groups for young unemployed males, in particular.

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