Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The last time I tried to intervene when Deputy Martin was speaking, he indicated he was in possession. I ask him to listen to me for a moment and I will answer his questions, of which I have taken careful note.

The issues discussed with Prime Minister Cameron in Downing Street included the following: progress in developing and implementing the programme of work within the framework of last year's joint statement; bilateral relations and economic relations; recommendations from the joint economic study interim report and what it will lead to; political developments and the security situation in Northern Ireland; the commemoration of significant centenaries, starting with the First World War; the G8 summit in June in Fermanagh and the opportunity it presents to showcase Northern Ireland in a very positive light; the EU Presidency and the outcome of discussions, until that point, on the multiannual financial framework, MFF; the CRD IV directive; using the roles of the EU Presidency and G8 to press for the launch of the mandate in respect of the EU-US trade agreement; and the European arrest warrant. In the case of the final issue, I pointed out the impracticality of suggestions of withdrawing from this and trying to renegotiate particular aspects of it.

Deputy Martin also referred to the Pat Finucane case. As I have stated repeatedly in response to questions from Deputies Martin, Adams and others, the Government is following through on an all-party motion in my name passed by the House some years ago, which called for an independent public inquiry into the killing of Pat Finucane. I have made the case for such an inquiry very clearly to the British Prime Minister. Obviously, the British Government has a different view from the Irish Government on this matter and the two Governments have differed publicly on it on a number of occasions. I contacted the Finucane family directly after the de Silva report was completed and they made clear they were not happy with it and wished to pursue the option of having a full-scale public inquiry. I support their wishes, as I reiterated when I spoke to Geraldine Finucane in Washington. Officials from my Department remain in contact with the Finucane family. I made clear that the Irish Government will continue to seek, at every opportunity, an independent public inquiry into the Finucane case. The Tánaiste made this view clear to the Secretary of State, Theresa Villiers, when he met her recently.

Deputy Martin also referred to the Parades Commission, about which a number of issues have arisen. The Government supports the rule of law. The Tánaiste and I have discussed with the British authorities on a number of occasions the position regarding parades and the role of the Parades Commission. For example, the Tánaiste raised this issue specifically with Secretary of State Villiers when they met on 29 April. The Government's view is that all parties should co-operate fully with the Parades Commission and respect its determinations and decisions. As Deputy Martin correctly noted, no one wants a return to the deplorable violence that sullied Northern Ireland's reputation in the past. It is very important in the context of the upcoming marching season that the decisions of the Parades Commission are fully respected and the commission and PSNI receive full support in ensuring the rule of law is upheld. Clearly, there were breaches of its determinations before and after Christmas and I am glad the situation has settled down. I hope the determinations of the Parades Commission will be respected.

Deputy Martin tabled 18 questions. The first was on the Parades Commission, the second on the Finucane case and the third on bankers' bonuses.

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