John Minihan (Progressive Democrats)

As Archbishop Brady said, we should talk of humility, not humiliation. I fully understand and accept the decision the Taoiseach and the Government have made. I know they have reluctantly accepted the dishonest demands of Sinn Féin in the name of securing peace. I am not here to criticise or condemn. The Taoiseach carries a huge responsibility, as does his Government, on behalf of the Irish people. As the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform said in the Dáil today, the Government is as one. My views are my personal views. My contribution may not be the support the Taoiseach needs at this time but I also know that the concerns of the people who share my views are entitled to be aired in this debate. I am sure the Government accepts that point.

I ask the Government to make it clear to Sinn Féin that it must start to deliver. It cannot continue to make more demands as the peace process evolves. Full and total decommissioning must take place within an aggressive time frame. There must be a signed commitment to end criminal activity and paramilitarism in all its forms for once and for all. We, as a democratic State, cannot be constantly bullied into conceding what we should not.