Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I agree with the Deputy that there has been great progress in Northern Ireland. There must be constant vigilance in order to ensure peace is maintained and built upon. That is why I remain in regular contact with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, the First Minister and the Deputy First Minister. My Department maintains regular contact with the political parties and members of civil society in Northern Ireland and has been closely monitoring the events which have taken place during the past eight days. As stated, we continue to stand together with the people of Northern Ireland to ensure they will never again suffer through violent conflict. The Government condemns the outbreaks of violence on the streets of Belfast and the attacks on members of the Alliance Party and PSNI officers. The parties in Northern Ireland must learn to resolve issues around flags and symbols in a respectful and consensual way.

On the release earlier today of the Northern Ireland census figures, I highlight the fact that this matter cannot just be about arithmetic, with the larger group, in whatever form, holding sway at the perceived expense of the minority. Abuses by the majority are what gave rise to the Troubles and we must guard against any perception that one community will lose out as the religious composition of Northern Irish society evolves. The principles of tolerance and respect for difference and diversity are fundamental to the Good Friday Agreement. The clearly expressed wish of the majority of the people in Northern Ireland is that there should be peace and stability. That is what the wider community and its political representatives have been working towards. It is important that the tremendous progress made towards the normalisation of the security situation in Northern Ireland since the signing of the Good Friday Agreement is sustained and enhanced.

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