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

It is proposed in the Stormont House agreement that the number of Members in the Northern Assembly be reduced at some stage. To what degree was the Northern Ireland budget considered in the talks? I do not know whether the Taoiseach saw BBC's "Spotlight" programme on the very significant number of fictitious front organisations which were receiving publicly funded rent payments from Sinn Féin and drawing down millions of pounds in expenses over recent years. It could be argued that if fewer fictitious front organisations were receiving publicly funded rents from Sinn Féin, there might be fewer teachers cut in the Stormont House Agreement. Would the Taoiseach accept that it is essential that both Governments be involved in the ongoing implementation of this? Deputy Adams said the agreement was achieved despite the Governments. It is typical of Sinn Féin's approach, begging the Governments to get involved for 12 to 15 months and, when they do, Sinn Féin says it did it all itself and did not need them. In some instances, Sinn Féin almost wants a crisis to happen on occasion so that it can gain the resulting profile to advance its electoral ambitions. I regret to say it. It will have a negative impact on future engagements. The lesson of the past two years is that both Governments must stay involved, given that one will not get agreements, progress or implementation otherwise.

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