Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I am disappointed that the Taoiseach does not know how Martin McGuinness discovered it because the Taoiseach's officials were fully briefed on that over the weekend, so he should know. Martin McGuinness discovered it because we were given papers - we believe by mistake. When he discovered this, he spent several days last week, including during our Ard-Fheis, trying to meet the DUP. The DUP failed to engage with us but it was fully informed about our concerns. These are red line issues because the essence of mature politics must be protecting the disadvantaged - those who need the protection of society. That is the core of this agreement.

The Taoiseach may recall that in 1998, just after the signing of the Good Friday Agreement, Senator George Mitchell said that this was the easy bit and that the hard bit was implementing it. That has been our experience. I have been critical at times of the Government's handling of Northern Ireland issues but at the same time, I know that they are very challenging and require a constant focus with the British Government on the ongoing process to ensure in particular the need for everyone to fulfil commitments. In the absence of such clarity, every effort must be made to ensure all agreements are faithfully implemented. Does the Taoiseach agree that the resolution of the current difficulties will be only be found by everyone adhering fully to the terms of the Stormont House Agreement?

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