Dáil debates

Tuesday, 14 May 2013

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed)

Northern Ireland Issues

5:20 pm

Photo of Micheál MartinMicheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

-----just as it does to those who were personally involved in violence in the North, including violence that led to unnecessary loss of life in too many cases. We need action on the Finucane case not only because of the issue itself and the fact that it forms part of a binding agreement, but because we should leave no cover for those who were involved and who have chosen to be selective about what should be shared with the wider community concerning the acts that were committed in the North and the Republic for which there has been no political accountability.

It was wrong, and speaks of a certain partisanship on the Taoiseach's part, not to have marked the anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement. The Joint Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement is a committee of the Oireachtas and the Government should have hosted an event, which could have become a catalyst for discussing these issues in greater detail. Perhaps there is time yet to do something to mark the 15th anniversary of the agreement, take stock and review the outstanding issues, changes and so on that need to be addressed to move things on further.

Turning to the Taoiseach's meeting with the British Prime Minister, David Cameron, the Tory party has been pulling itself apart again in the past two days regarding the EU. The party's position is becoming increasingly extreme. The Prime Minister and his party have been clear in their view that the only basis on which the UK will stay in the EU is what they call free trade plus co-operation. In the months since the Prime Minister set out his agenda, the Taoiseach has said nothing of substance other than that he does not want Britain to leave the EU. He has not outlined Ireland's response to the agenda being promoted by the Tory Government of hollowing out the Union, particularly its social dimension. Did the Prime Minister seek the Taoiseach's support for his proposed renegotiation of the treaties? What is the Taoiseach's response?

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