Jim Walsh (Fianna Fail)

I asked Sinn Féin to clarify whether these serious allegations had been investigated by the party and, if so, by whom, the modus operandi used and whether such serious allegations were brought to the attention of the Garda. To date Sinn Féin has failed to answer. At this stage of the game, smokescreens by way of allegations about infiltrating and spying on Sinn Féin are not acceptable. We have a right to demand far greater responsibility from a party which is getting considerable support, North and South. The party has a right to put its case and policies before the public and to seek support. However, it does not have a right to continue with its links and involvement in criminal activity.

Attempts are being made to secure what are called "acts of completion". One would wish well to all those involved in that area, including the Taoiseach and the Minister. I speak from the perspective of one who has a lifetime commitment to the emergence of a united Ireland. I have been a strong critical voice for continuing British policy in this country. We have suffered much over the years and they have never acknowledged this or in any way apologised for it. With that, I now see Sinn Féin as an obstacle to the achievement of a united Ireland. That affects my view of what the party is doing and the activities in which it engages. I say that in the context of my contacts with people in Northern Ireland, many of them elected on both sides of the divide. The posturing and the triumphalism that is in evidence is alienating and polarising political opinion. Ultimately, I would have hoped that in 1998 the historic Belfast Agreement would have laid the foundations for at least better working relations with people in Northern Ireland, who are all Irish people. I hold the view that Unionists and Nationalists in the North will remain forever second class citizens within a British sphere of governance. They can become first class citizens in an Ireland of some shape where we work together in the interests of all the people.

In the run-up to the Northern Ireland Assembly elections I was alarmed at the findings of an opinion poll undertaken by the Belfast Telegraph. It showed that five years after the Agreement was signed, 97% of Protestants still supported the union while only 2% were in favour of a united Ireland. Some 27% of Catholics supported the union while only 56% supported a united Ireland. Those are astonishing statistics. While it is only an opinion poll and may be incorrect, and even allowing for a large margin of error, it shows what needs to be done if we are to persuade moderate opinion to think differently than in the past.

The early release of prisoners should have been linked to decommissioning. It is easy for me to say that because at the time, in 1998, agreement was difficult. This relates to one aspect of the motion with which I disagree. It fails to acknowledge the difficulties which Unionist families who had members serving in the North's security forces who were killed, had to contend with in accepting the Agreement. This aspect is reflected in the amendment but not in the motion, which gives no recognition to that. A former chairman of Down District Council and a member of the Ulster Unionist Party visited New Ross on the occasion of the twinning of Wexford town with Newcastle. He said that his vision for the twinning was that the children of New Ross would visit children in Northern Ireland, in Newcastle, and that children from that area would in turn stay with the New Ross children thereby becoming friends. He went on to make the key point that this would help to ensure they did not make the mistakes that we have made.

I met him subsequently when a close relative of his who was in the RUC was killed by the IRA. It was sad to see that a man of such moderate views who was looking to the future of Ireland, could be put in that position, and the damage that this did. As regards the release of the people who murdered Detective Garda Jerry McCabe, they were convicted of manslaughter. They could, in other circumstances, have received a prison term of 40 years. It is fair to say if they are released after 14 years, there will have been an element of leniency.

It is important to bring an end to the atrocities. I am glad the Minister said that only in circumstances where it can be verified will he approach the families of those who were the victims of that terrible day to discuss the issue with them. When the day comes there should be no fudge. When it happens — we all look forward to it — perhaps there should be a period of 12 months to allow complete verification of total cessation of involvement in any kind of criminal or paramilitary activity and a stepping down of the IRA, as the basis for such a conclusion.

The Minister has said the hand of history is resting on politicians. I know that simile was used before but it is correct. It is important, with the hand of history resting on people, that we are not seduced into becoming unwilling participants in the subversion of the State. That is something we need to measure and be cautious about.