Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I accept that the Taoiseach is extremely busy but I and other Members have been raising the need for him to meet with the Ballymurphy relatives and Justice for the Forgotten for a long time. I hope he will find space to have those meetings. Being from Ballymurphy myself, I understand how a failure to engage can feed back into a sense of frustration and isolation among the community. I say that respectfully, being conscious of the busyness of the Taoiseach's schedule.

The importance of developing all-Ireland solutions to enhance economic recovery is a notion that is gaining increasing acceptance. The Taoiseach cited the example of the Narrow Water Bridge, which is a very commendable project. Unfortunately, notwithstanding the Good Friday Agreement, many of the institutions of this State are very partitionist. We must recognise that partition is a barrier to economic regeneration. I do not know whether the Taoiseach had the chance to read the Dundalk gateway report which was published last month. That independent report made this case very clearly in its argument for greater cross-Border co-ordination and co-operation on energy, health provision, education, infrastructural development and job creation. Such co-operation will benefit the Border corridor and the citizens of both sates on the island.

I commend Deputy Joe McHugh on his very fair and balanced chairmanship of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement. My own anecdotal sense is that many of the Deputies who have travelled North have had their eyes opened to several of the outstanding issues. The more frequently people visit, the greater the likelihood that they can speak with credibility on these issues. The Taoiseach will recall a recent Sinn Féin Private Members' motion in which we identified aspects of the Good Friday Agreement that are not yet implemented. In fact, the Government's amendment to the motion acknowledged that failure. The introduction of an Acht na Gaeilge and an all-Ireland charter of rights, the establishment of a North-South consultative forum, these are all provisions of the Agreement which are within the authority and remit of both Governments either to implement or to encourage very actively.

Peace is a process, not a single event, and we must keep working at it, nurturing and developing it. Perhaps the greatest single achievement in our time has been the Good Friday Agreement. If, 15 years later, important dimensions of it have not been implemented, that is our fault. I spent yesterday in Belfast and was reminded that the Unionists are reluctant to embrace some of these very important matters, but that should not put us off. The Taoiseach has committed himself to the full implementation of the Weston Park agreement and to an independent inquiry into the killing of Pat Finucane, both of which are welcome. Progress will not be made, however, unless the Government has a strategy in place. I have argued numerous times in this House for an international diplomatic strategy and an institutional linkage into the British Government. The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade or another appropriate Department must have a facility to hold to account that Government.

We have had several instances of turbulence in Northern Ireland in recent times. The Tour of the North parade culminated in a Minister, Ms Carál Ní Chuilín, being injured and a local MLA, Mr. Gerry Kelly, being treated in a very dangerous and reckless way by PSNI officers. The record shows that Sinn Féin activists in those areas go in there to keep the peace, maintain calm and offer assistance. The recent arrests of Mr. John Downey and Mr. Michael Burns are totally contrary to the Good Friday Agreement and the Weston Park agreement in particular. Both these individuals were in receipt of letters from the British Government, in accordance with the agreement between that Government and the Irish Government, indicating that they were not sought in connection with any criminal charges. This is a very narrow issue applying only to former republican activists, but it nevertheless creates difficulties in republican heartlands. I urge the Taoiseach to press the British Government to abide by its agreements. We all welcome the release of Ms Marion Coyle, but she remained two years longer than she should have in prison without charge or trial. Mr. Martin Corey is still there because he does not have the same profile. Will he be left in prison forever? The Government must raise these matters with its British counterpart.

My main question concerns the need for persistent vigilance, the need for the Government to have an all-island view, to Good Friday Agreement-proof everything and for the Taoiseach to ensure this Tory Government which may enjoy excellent relationships state to state but is remiss in its responsibilities to fulfil the all-island nature of the Good Friday Agreement keeps to its commitments and obligations.

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