Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

As Deputy Adams is aware, the Good Friday Agreement sets out a bill of rights for Northern Ireland that would include the right of recognition of the principle of mutual respect for the identity and ethos of communities and parties in Northern Ireland. We support the principle of parties in Northern Ireland setting down their views in drawing up an agreement in respect of this bill of rights. It is possible to do so with constructive discussion between the parties on what might be the substance of any such bill of rights. We continue to stress the importance of ensuring the bill of rights, if it is produced, takes into account the separate and specific context of Northern Ireland.

The Deputy is well aware from his long experience of politics in Northern Ireland that every time an issue was raised over the past 30 years, and there have been many, the political process in Northern Ireland went to Downing Street and asked for another cheque to deal with whatever crisis had arisen. I would like to think governments would honour their commitments in respect of the Good Friday Agreement. The First and Deputy First Ministers are very active in promoting Northern Ireland at home and abroad, and discussions are taking place on the possibilities which exist from changes in the taxation regime and the very active and constructive propositions being put forward by the Executive and the First and Deputy First Ministers in making Northern Ireland an attractive location for investment. This has resulted in approximately 2,200 jobs being located there, with more created from the indigenous economy.

With regard to the figures the Deputy mentioned, it has been a while and I do not have the cumulative amounts allocated by the British Government in each year since the Good Friday Agreement. I expect to meet the First and Deputy First Ministers in the not too distant future, and I would be happy to discuss the matters raised by Deputy. I expect the Executive will follow through diligently on this issue with the British Government.

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