Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I take the opportunity to condemn, in the strongest possible terms, the brutal killing of prison officer David Black on Thursday, 1 November. This was a murder, pure and simple, carried out by people who have no regard for human life. The universal condemnation from across the political spectrum in Northern Ireland and the unified reaction from the two Governments underlined the solidity of the peace process. Public statements made by the Taoiseach, the Minister for Justice and Equality, Deputy Alan Shatter, and me reinforced the message of solidarity with Mr. Black’s family and his colleagues in the Northern Ireland Prison Service. The Minister attended Mr. Black’s funeral.

I had an opportunity to speak with the Northern Ireland Minister of Justice, David Ford, MLA, at the North-South Ministerial Council on 2 November and I conveyed through him my sympathy and that of the Government to Mr. Black's widow, Yvonne, and his children, Kyra and Kyle. I spoke with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland on the day of the killing and we discussed the matter again when we met on Tuesday, 6 November. I underlined to the Secretary of State the Government’s determination to co-operate with the Northern Ireland authorities to bring David Black’s killers to justice. The Secretary of State and I are of the same view that those responsible for this murder are criminal terrorists motivated by hate and an inability to accept that the vast majority of the people of this island want to move on and forge a better life for themselves.

In addition to discussions at political level, strong and deep co-operation exists between An Garda Síochána and the Police Service of Northern Ireland to counter such individuals and groups. The number of arrests made in connection with paramilitary activity in both jurisdictions continues to be significant. The Garda and the PSNI will continue to co-operate closely to combat such activity on both sides of the Border and to ensure those who plan and carry out such atrocities are pursued and brought to justice.

When I attended the remembrance day ceremonies in Belfast last weekend I had an opportunity to convey condolences on behalf of the Government to some of David Black’s colleagues in the Northern Ireland Prison Service. I also had an opportunity to reiterate the Government’s condemnation at the SDLP conference which I addressed on Saturday night.

See this speech in context