Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

We will have the opportunity to raise the blockade of Gaza and the situation which obtains in the latter at the European Council's spring meeting on Thursday and Friday next in Brussels. I will take the opportunity to have discussions with the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Ms Catherine Ashton, who reports to the EU on matters of this nature. Ireland has been very strongly of the view that this blockade should be brought to an end and that some sense of normality should be restored. I share the views of Deputies Adams, Higgins and Boyd Barrett in respect of the situation in Gaza, which the Minister for Justice and Equality had the opportunity to witness at first hand.

On the question of the institutions of the Assembly in Northern Ireland, I raised those matters with the then Secretary of State, Hilary Clinton, and they have been raised by the Tánaiste with the Secretary of State, Mr. Kerry. Obviously, I intend to raise Northern Ireland issues directly with the President and we will be direct in our reporting back on that matter. Clearly, political leadership must be shown all around in respect of demonstrating that the principles of the Good Friday Agreement, of which both Governments are co-guarantors, will be seen to be implemented.

On the other matters raised by Deputies, namely, the EU trade talks and issues that arise from that in respect of taxation and so on, the programmes are laid out for every Minister who attends, on behalf of the Government and the country, St. Patrick's Day events in various locations throughout the world. Each Minister will be happy to respond to the House on the official elements of the business in which they have been involved.

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