Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

It is not a problem. I am saying the Deputy is fully entitled to be elected by the people here. The problem is that he speaks of truth and reconciliation when all of this started throughout the entire spectrum in the late 1960s. He is right that it is not the first time we have had difficulties in this country. When people look at the political impact of the Sinn Féin Party in Northern Ireland, they would associate the IRA with being the military wing of a political party. Furthermore they would have associated Deputy Adams as being a member of that group. I do not know whether that is true, but the Deputy does. From a truth and reconciliation point of view, were he called before such a body what would he say?

The Deputy has made it clear that he never disassociated himself from people whom he knew and knows were members of the IRA. When we start this business of community and cross-community bridge building, one of the questions that is always raised is that question. The Deputy is the president of his party but the connection made in the public mind was that this was a military wing of a political party which assumed the name of Óglaigh na nÉireann, of which there is only one, which is the Army of the State. The Deputy might like to comment on that.

The Deputy sent me the file on Marian Price. I have read it and I am not a doctor but it speaks for itself. This is a matter I am following up and I will advise the Deputy if any new information or new progress is made in this regard.

It has been agreed that the meeting with the Ballymurphy families will be in Dublin. Given that we are involved in multi-annual financial framework discussions that may or may not last, we have to find an opportune time for them and I to meet. I hope that can be done before Christmas, and I will advise the House of that.

I am not aware of the reasons for the suspension of the inquest by the Attorney General but I will have that followed up. I expect to speak to Prime Minister Cameron before the European Council meeting this week and I will also see him there and have the opportunity to raise that matter with him.

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