John Minihan (Progressive Democrats)

I too welcome the Taoiseach. I congratulate him and his Government colleagues on their efforts to date in the peace process. I wish him well in the crucial months ahead. On behalf of the Progressive Democrats, I congratulate Senator Maurice Hayes on his appointment and I wish him well.

The Good Friday Agreement was a milestone for this country in the search for peace. There is equally no doubt that if we were to renegotiate such an agreement now we would not get as good an agreement. The creation of a vacuum by the recent breakdown plays into the hands of extremists on both sides. That serves no one, nor does it serve the peace process or the future of Northern Ireland or this country. It does not serve them well if extremists are seen to benefit. We are so tantalisingly close to reaching peace on this island that there is an onus on us all to row in behind the efforts to bring things back on track. The loss of momentum can lead us down the slippery slope and return to atrocities and activities that we do not want to see on this island again.

Decommissioning will continue to be an issue until it is embraced. We must stop walking on eggshells around this issue. We must stand up and be counted on it. The events on 11 September 2001 have put terrorism in the world on a new footing. It is not acceptable to have double standards when we allow people to trade in international terror. We cannot say enough about it.

We must clearly separate democracy and paramilitary activities. I have no hesitation in condemning paramilitary activities on both sides of the divide in Northern Ireland. It is not acceptable. Punishment beatings, racketeering and criminal activities in the name of a so-called cause are not acceptable. For once and for all we must put this to bed. If we want to have credibility as a State and as a people, we must stand up and be counted on this. There is no more room for this type of activity.

In this country we have a recognised democratic system that supports the Garda Síochána and Defence Forces. That is what we recognise. We do not recognise private armies or military groupings.