Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I acknowledge the work that is being done by both Administrations on the island, although there is an ongoing need for a strategic focus at a political level and for ongoing engagement. I made the same criticism of the previous Government. I understand how the affairs of this State can keep a government so busy, especially with the economic situation, but the Taoiseach last week correctly highlighted the need to nurture the peace process and not to take it for granted. Therefore, there is a big onus on the Government both to raise it with the British Government and show leadership on these matters.

There are outstanding aspects of the Good Friday Agreement. We do not have a bill of rights, which is part of the Good Friday Agreement, and neither do we have a charter of rights, which is also part of a recommendation for the all-island dispensation. We do not have acht na Gaeilge. I attended two events yesterday, the first of which was just outside Maghera in County Derry, at Carntogher, a wonderful development for the Irish language community. The other, last night in Newry, was at Gaeláras Mhic Ardghail, a new building which is a hub for the Irish language. However, we still do not have what the Good Friday Agreement promised us. Therefore, there is ongoing work.

I want to raise two questions. Last week, an all-party delegation from here visited Maghaberry prison and also the city hospital to meet Ms Marian Price. An Teachta Ó Snodaigh was my party's representative on that delegation and I have asked him to give the Taoiseach a report on it because there are issues of concern.

The biggest issue at present surrounds the continued imprisonment of Ms Marian Price and a man called Mr. Martin Corey. They are held without charge or trial. There is no due process whatsoever. I raised this with the Taoiseach on a number of occasions and I gave him a doctor's report on Ms Price's health. The delegation found her very ill. Obviously, she is also grieving for her sister, Dolours, who died just a short time ago. She is confined. The Government needs to raise these issues. I would like to know when was the last time the matter was raised and whether the Government will unequivocally call for the release of these two individuals.

On the big issue of the ongoing situation on the streets of Belfast, the vast majority of the people of Belfast are opposed to what is happening. Those who are fomenting the violence and the protests are a very small minority and they are persons who either fear change or who are exploiting those who are afraid of change. There needs to be an unequivocal message from all the political leaders in the North that this must stop.

I acknowledge the Backing Belfast campaign which is doing its best to bring people back into the city with all sorts of innovative ideas. I acknowledge the support of the Government, the Mayor of Dublin and the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister for this campaign. The only way we will change these folks who are very sectarian - sectarianism is a scourge on this island, particularly in the North - is if we change the political conditions in which they live, and we will only do that if there is a strategic approach to the full implementation of the Good Friday Agreement and the ongoing development and nurturing of the peace process.

Specifically, I ask the Taoiseach to give us an update on the Government's position on the continued incarceration of Ms Price and Mr. Corey and ask him to do his level best to have these two individuals released.

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