Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour) | Oireachtas source

In recent weeks we have seen widespread street violence in Belfast and elsewhere in Northern Ireland. We have seen attacks on the Police Service of Northern Ireland. including the attempted murder of police officers and widespread attempts to intimidate public representatives and their families. I have condemned these events unreservedly. I have remained in contact with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Theresa Villiers, MP, and with the party leaders in Northern Ireland throughout these events. Over the past week I have spoken with Peter Robinson, MLA, Martin McGuinness, MLA, David Ford, MLA, Mike Nesbitt, MLA, and Alasdair McDonnell, MLA. I will be travelling to Belfast tomorrow morning to meet with the Secretary of State, the First Minister and the Deputy First Minister. Officials from my Department continue to work closely with the British Government and political representatives in Northern Ireland to identify ways to address not just the current crisis but its underlying causes. Security co-operation between the Garda and the PSNI is at its most effective level ever. The PSNI is on the front line dealing with the violence of recent weeks and, with 99 police officers injured to date, I want to reiterate my steadfast support for that force in dealing with these difficult circumstances. I also wish to take this opportunity to put on record the Government’s abhorrence at the attempts on the lives of police officers.

The vast majority of people in Northern Ireland want to see an end to street violence. The rioters are in effect wrecking their own communities. This year has the potential to be a great year for tourism to Northern Ireland. That potential must not be jeopardised by the recent terrible images from Belfast that have been beamed around the world by international media. The economic cost of recent events is becoming apparent. Apart from the cost of the policing operation, which is estimated at £7 million, foreign direct investment, the retail trade and tourism are all at risk. The director of the Confederation of British Industry in Northern Ireland has warned of the economic damage being inflicted on local businesses, tourism and investment.

It is my hope that out of this setback we will see a redoubling of efforts to achieve a genuinely reconciled society in Northern Ireland. It is a reminder to all that the peace process still has some way to go. Political co-operation and security co-operation on this island have never been better and we can rely on these relationships of trust and on the resilience of the Good Friday Agreement to create space for progress beyond the current difficulties.

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