Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I condemn unreservedly these threats to members of all political parties where a number of people on the Government benches have received threats of one sort or another and several offices have been bombed, graffitied or damaged and, of course, in respect of the cases the Deputy mentioned. I deplore the paint-bombing of the home of the Deputy First Minister a couple of days ago, which I heard and read comment about, no more than the outrageous murder yesterday of a community worker on the streets of Belfast. These are not matters that should be carried out where politics is concerned. People can argue and have differences of opinion but democracy means that they can discuss these things and the electorate makes its decision. That is the Government’s position: we condemn these things unreservedly.

In respect of Ballymurphy, I spoke to the Deputy about this before and he will recall that I wanted to meet the people there and the relatives of those who were shot dead in order that I would hear their views of a potential all-party motion. The text is ready and I will circulate it to the party leaders for their consideration. If they agree with that, or can agree on changes to an all-party motion in respect of Ballymurphy, I will be happy to go with it. As soon as that is done we can arrange for a debate on Northern Ireland and the very serious issues arising from what is happening, and has happened in recent past there. Nobody wants to see a return to that sort of an era. There is a lot of opportunity and optimism opening up for Northern Ireland. Who knows what the outcome of the election will be tomorrow and, in respect of those elected from Northern Ireland, what place or position they may have following the outcome of the election. If the Deputy can work with us on the all-party motion, we can arrange with the Whips for a decent debate on Northern Ireland and all the issues that affect us North and South.

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