Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

We discussed this in part last week and we had agreement on quite a number of matters. I commend the business people and the retailers in Belfast on the extraordinary resilience they showed in the face of all those riots and their efforts to continue to say to people that they are welcome to Belfast and that it is a city where they can have good business engagement. I hope, following the period of calm, that does not return and Northern Ireland business, in particular, Belfast business, is allowed continue to progress as it has done for quite a number of years.

I answered on the bill of rights previously. This is part of the Good Friday Agreement but it is a case for the Northern Ireland parties to come forward with their proposals. When they do, we would be happy to engage with them. As a co-guarantor of the Good Friday Agreement, we would be anxious to see the agreement, of which that is part, implemented in full but the piece of the jigsaw that is missing is the proposals for this from the Northern Ireland parties.

I am aware that an all-party delegation visited Maghaberry prison and met and spoke to Ms Marian Price. This is a difficult situation. It is not easy to decide what is the best thing to do. I look forward to hearing the report of the all-party committee. I hope to have that soon so that I can both read it and raise the matter directly with the British Prime Minister when I discuss Northern Ireland issues with him when I have the opportunity to meet him in early March. Obviously, it is a matter of concern but one hears different options that should be available here. I am aware of the circumstances of Ms Price going back into Maghaberry and of the medical reports regarding her state of health. I look forward to getting the report from the committee shortly and I have undertaken to discuss that as part of my discussions with the British Prime Minister on Northern Ireland.

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