Michael Finucane (Fine Gael)

Yesterday, I too requested such a debate. I also pointed out that the Tánaiste had stated that more than a photograph was at issue. I am glad she made that statement because the spinning of Sinn Féin — which is masterful at such activity, as is the DUP — was that it came down to the issue of a photograph. However, we now know in terms of what has been revealed today that it is about more than that. It would appear the IRA was not prepared to sign up to end criminality such as exiling, knee-cappings and so on. How could the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, Deputy McDowell, countersign a deal on behalf of the Progressive Democrats in which this important component was not agreed to?

Yesterday, we witnessed the nauseating occasion in the Lower House of DeputyCaoimhghín Ó Caoláin congratulating the IRA on its involvement in this matter. I am glad that people turned on him in response. Let us cut out this hypocrisy now. If there are other elements to the deal, let us have a discussion and air them in the open. My party has always been constructive and supportive of this agreement and the Taoiseach's actions throughout. I strongly resent the recent statement of the Minister for Defence, Deputy O'Dea, that Fine Gael was trying to make a political football of the matter by raising in the Lower House a question about whether the release of the killers of Detective Garda Jerry McCabe was part of the agreement. I come from that area and I make no apologies to anyone for stating my view on the issue. I remind the Minister that the same viewpoint is shared by other parties in the area. It is a very important issue. We need this debate next week and we need to discuss in the open exactly what is happening.