Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Aontaím le ceannaire Fhianna Fáil agus leis an Taoiseach faoi na páistí a fuair bás faoi lámha an Taliban. Tá ár smaointe le teaghlaigh na páistí bochta. Gabhaim buíochas le Dia go bhfuil an próiseas síochána againn sa tír seo. Tá a fhios ag an Taoiseach go bhfuil a lán brú ar an bpróiseas polaitíochta ag an uair seo. He will know that power sharing in the all-Ireland institutions faces major economic and political challenges. The economic challenges arise from the Tory Party's austerity policies, the reduction made by that government in the Executive's block grant and the lack of financial powers needed to remodel the local economy in the North. The political challenges arise from the British Government's refusal to honour international agreements and political Unionism's resistance to power sharing and partnership. No party represented in the North's Executive has a mandate to implement policies which undermine international agreements or the rights and welfare of the most vulnerable in society. However, last week the Taoiseach and the British Prime Minister tabled a paper which did just that and put it forward on a take it or leave it basis. It does not mention Acht na Gaeilge or a Bill of Rights. It acquiesces to the British Government's use of national security to deny information to victims and close down Article 2 compliant inquests. This is deeply disappointing.

Under the terms of the Good Friday Agreement, the Irish Government has responsibility as co-equal guarantor to uphold all aspects of this and subsequent agreements and ensure the British Government will do likewise. I know that this is a very difficult task, but can the Taoiseach explain why he has agreed to a paper which is so deficient that it runs against the spirit and the letter of the Good Friday Agreement and other agreements, including some with international status?

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