Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

-----being murdered. As I will be at pains to explain to the survivors of Kingsmill, Fermanagh and Ballymurphy when I meet them, we do not have any hierarchy when somebody is shot, blown up or killed. There is no discrimination in the sense of loss for whoever that might apply to.

It is necessary as well that we show and have a respectful approach to commemorations. The Tánaiste launched this initiative on the decade of commemorations when he invited First Minister Robinson last year to speak at Iveagh House. I had the privilege of attending the remembrance ceremony in Enniskillen in November. I have also met recently with other political representatives who represent people, like Northern Ireland Executive members Danny Kennedy and Arlene Foster. I have referred to that in the House before.

Deputy Martin quite rightly referred to the community groups. This is important. I see a value in engagement with vulnerable communities and cross-peace line initiatives. The reconciliation and anti-sectarianism funds awarded grants to 130 organisations. They are important.

A great deal of practical assistance and co-operation is going on between the Department of Health, different agencies and the Department of Education and Skills. There has been quite extensive engagement between the Ministers, Deputies Reilly and Quinn, and their counterparts on this.

It is hoped we will secure expenditure for the peace initiative if a budget is agreed on Thursday or Friday and have it in place for the next seven years. We should, as is happening with a number of the groups in Northern Ireland, particularly in Belfast areas, look at what has been successful in other vulnerable communities to see what might give the best impact. I saw some of them when I had the opportunity to be up there on the last occasion. They do practical work with young boys and young girls in a sense of understanding, that they might be different in many ways in terms of their upbringing and beliefs than other boys and girls across the line, but that there is no reason for them not to grow up understanding that and yet having an understanding of the environment and the areas in which they grow up in Northern Ireland.

There is a great deal of co-operation between the PSNI and An Garda Síochána. I hope that that bears fruit in the sense of apprehending those who murdered Detective Garda Adrian Donohoe recently.

From that point of view and in so far as the peace process is concerned, economic, political and security co-operation are very strong and at a very high level. There is absolutely no room for any complacency, as the Deputy well knows, nor will there be. I intend to travel up there in the not too distant future. I am waiting to meet with the people from Ballymurphy. They have actually requested a meeting with officials again before I do that. We will have that opportunity. We would like, as a co-guarantor of the Good Friday Agreement, to see if we can follow it through to its implementation, but clearly it is not only in our hands.

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