Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Taoiseach for his reply and take the opportunity to welcome the decision by Queen's University Belfast to rename the Leadership Institute at Riddel Hall as "The William J. Clinton Leadership Institute". I am pleased that the Taoiseach met the former President and, in particular, that he raised the issue of the North with him. Mr. Clinton has played a vital role in the development of the peace process and its early success and continues to take a close interest in what is happening here. He was a good friend of Ireland while in office and has continued to take a close interest in developments. Recently, I briefed him on the increasing difficulties in the political process in the North and the cross-Border institutions. I outlined concerns and, as I have emphasised to the Taoiseach many times, the particular importance of the Irish and British Governments constantly managing the process, being continually and consistently engaged with all of the political players and, in particular, seeking all the time to encourage Unionist leaders. We are all concerned by the orchestrated walk-out by representatives of all of the Unionist parties supported by the Orange Order, the UDA and the UVF. That and, equally importantly, the cancellation of the North-South Ministerial Council meeting marks a worrying escalation. Former President Clinton's experience in the 1990s in dealing with a reluctant British Conservative Party under Mr. John Major could well be of use in seeking to ensure the Cameron Government honours its obligations. Even though we are much more advanced in the search for peace, the two situations in relation to the Tories then and now are not dissimilar.

Former President Clinton is also very conscious of the difficulties in his time created by contentious Orange parades. At the time, Unionist leaders claimed that their demand to march through Nationalist communities, if denied, would be an attack on Orange culture. The Taoiseach will be aware, however, that ten years ago there were 2,120 marches in the North, whereas last year this figure had reached 4,637. Over 3,000 of these events are loyalist parades, while most of the remaining ones are religious or community based. There are fewer than 200 Nationalist parades, none of which is contentious. Claims that objections by a handful of Nationalist areas to Orange parades passing through their communities are an attack on Orange culture are clearly not right. Sinn Féin upholds that view and will be on the ground. I welcome the Fianna Fáil leader's interest in the North during Leaders' Questions. Perhaps, his cumann in Ardoyne will be able to go out and help local people to police matters and keep younger people and other elements who want to undermine the peace process from doing just that. The Executive in the North is meeting today on the initiative of Mr. Martin McGuinness who is putting forward a statement which will I hope be agreed by all party leaders calling for calm, the upholding of the law and everyone to assist in making sure the next few days will pass without difficulty for anyone, including the PSNI, people in Ardoyne and the Orange marchers themselves. As I have been saying to the Taoiseach in a series of engagements, the two Governments must be champions of the Good Friday Agreement. We must see a positive axis for progress emerging clearly, assertively and resolutely because the vast majority of people in the North and across the island want the process to continue and see tolerance and respect.

On former President Clinton's watch, the US Government made a significant financial contribution to the International Fund for Ireland. The fund has contributed over €900 million to projects across the island. It has been under threat for some time, with senior US congressional figures arguing for it to be retained. I raised the issue when I was in the USA just one month or two ago and asked that the country continue to support the fund financially. The Taoiseach had the opportunity to speak to former President Clinton about this. Has he had discussions with President Obama or the White House on funding, in particular the International Fund for Ireland?

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