Mary Lou McDonald (Dublin Central, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

-----so if she is making a party political point, which is not helpful on issues of poverty, I want to put that on the record.

There are elections today in the North and across Britain. What level of priority does the Tánaiste attach to an early meeting with the incoming British Administration? The last four years have been marked by absolute disengagement by her Government in terms of the North. Once the new British Government is in situ, can we anticipate a debate in this House about developments in the North, the peace process, our obligations and our ambitions for that part of the country?

The Tánaiste may be aware that over the last week there has been a series of very serious attacks on Sinn Féin MLAs and candidates. There have been four attacks, including an attack on the home of Martin McGuinness. There have been seven bomb and death threats to MLAs and candidates. The Taoiseach, after being very quiet on this issue, has made his position clear and has condemned absolutely such activities under any circumstances, but particularly in the midst of an electoral campaign. I invite the Tánaiste to put on the record her position on that and, I hope, roundly condemn those who have targeted these individuals in this way.

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