Brian Hayes (Fine Gael)

The section deals with Articles 4, 5 and 6 as laid down in the Agreement. Article 4 concerns paramilitary activity. Article 5 deals with the responsibility of the British Government concerning demilitarisation, and Article 6 concerns a complaint made by a political party within the Assembly if a Member of the Assembly has breached the pledge of office. Am I right in saying there is nothing of particular embarrassment to the Irish Government in any of this? Articles 4, 5 and 6 are external features. They are not to do with our failure or bad will and I do not understand how there would be a difficulty in ensuring a speedy publication of the report. I am mindful of what the Minister said concerning a potential negative but they are negatives of external forces, be they paramilitary parties, the British Government or individual Members of the Assembly. They have nothing to do with the Irish Government, as such.