Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I agree that there should be a convergence of view and a sharing of the objective of growing the economy of Northern Ireland in order that jobs could be created and that the inherent, underlying contributory causes of what has happened could be addressed. As Deputy Martin pointed out, a number of successful programmes have operated in this jurisdiction in difficult areas with assistance from Europe. What Deputy Higgins said is true. It should not be any factor involving political parties for political reasons. Politics is always about people and the focus must be on making changes that impact to the benefit of people’s lives.

The protests by loyalists at the removal of the Union Jack began on 3 December when Belfast City Council voted that the flag would fly from City Hall on designated days throughout the year, and it continued through January except for a lull over the Christmas period. While the majority of demonstrations passed off without incident, some resulted in serious rioting and approximately 130 police officers suffered injuries. The impact, which went around the world instantly, did damage community relations. It severely curtailed economic activity in the pre-Christmas period. It conveyed a deeply negative impression of Northern Ireland to international audiences, which I very much regret. That countered the positive campaigns to promote tourism and to attract investment.

I understand the cost of policing the protests was of the order of £7 million and the loss of trade is estimated to have cost £15 million. Other areas will have gained as a consequence of that unfortunate position. The Belfast Telegraph has launched a "Backing Belfast" campaign to attract business to the city. Reports indicate that restaurants and businesses were returning to normal levels of activity over the previous weekend. I support that strongly.

A total of 130 police were injured up to 30 January. It was indicated that 158 arrests took place - 50 of them were of people aged under 18 and the youngest was aged 11 – and 128 people were charged. I do not want a society where 11 year olds are being arrested for activities on the streets. That means investment in communities and even greater efforts to engage with communities, young people and their parents. The arrests that have taken place involve people who blocked roads. It is clear that the PSNI has identified participants through the use of CCTV.

There were accusations that loyalist paramilitary organisations orchestrated the protests, but the protests were portrayed as being spontaneous and were organised on social media platforms such as Facebook. Some criticism was levelled at the PSNI for not taking action against those using social media to encourage people to break the law and for posting sectarian remarks. There has been one arrest for remarks made on a website associated with the flag protest. A man was arrested on 2 February in north Belfast over comments he made on social media. He was subsequently released on bail.

The most significant development in the reduction in rioting was the intervention of loyalist leaders in east Belfast two weeks ago, calling for an end to the violence, although not to the protests. Following the statement, as Deputy Higgins is aware, 5,000 leaflets were delivered to homes in the east Belfast area calling on those involved in current rioting to stop. That was endorsed by church leaders, community representatives and paramilitary organisations including the UVF, the UDA and the Red Hand Commando.

Members referred to the Short Strand, which emerged as a flash-point for protestors returning to east Belfast from City Hall. Serious incidents occurred there on Saturday, 12 January. A nationalist resident was granted leave to seek a judicial review over claims that the police had allowed illegal marches every week from east Belfast to the city centre. The resident has brought a challenge against the PSNI and the Secretary of State, Ms Villiers. The Parades Commission is seeking to clarify the legal options on flag protest marches to Belfast City Hall. It indicated in a statement that it had been notified of 14 flag protest parades but not about any of the Saturday protests in Belfast. The commission said the situation raised questions about implementing the Public Processions (Northern Ireland) Act 1998.

The first meeting of the new Unionist Forum, which was organised before Christmas, was proposed by the DUP and the UUP, and took place on 10 January. The forum set up a task force to engage with the wider community and also set up eight working groups on subjects across the Unionist spectrum. The Sinn Féin Party called for an all-party, cross-community response to the protest at the violence. The Tánaiste spoke to the Secretary of State, Ms Villiers, on the matter on 17 January. The quad met at principal levels only, including the Minister of State, Mr. Penning. The Tánaiste and the Secretary of State emphasised the need for the First Minister and the Deputy First Minister to work together to address the current crisis and building a shared society.

A group called the Ulster People's Forum was set up at a meeting on 3 January to co-ordinate the protests. This group is seen as the alternative to the DUP-UUP forum. A contributory factor to the falling support for the protests is the obvious apparent disunity among those organisers.

I share Deputy Higgins's view that what is needed is real involvement at community level in order that young people can understand there is a better way than having to organise, or be involved in, riotous behaviour, which does no good for anybody and which does down the national and international perception of the people of Northern Ireland and their efforts, and they are many, to build an inclusive and a shared society where differences are understood and at the same time where the objectives of greater economic development for everybody can be achieved. In so far as we can assist in this, the Government and its agencies will work with our counterparts in Northern Ireland for the development of those kinds of programmes that have been proven to be beneficial in very sensitive areas not only in this country but in other places abroad.

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