Kathleen O'Meara (Labour)

This is an important and relevant debate and I thank all responsible for providing the opportunity to hold it before the recess. In acknowledging the work of all in this process, we must consider the wider context of how far we have all come. In this regard, I single out the work of the Taoiseach and do not think anyone would want to take from his stand in regard to moving the peace process forward. The House and the Oireachtas generally have an important role to play in what we say and how we say it, and in the leadership we can provide.

To pick up on a comment which many will have noted, Gerry Adams, the Sinn Féin leader, stated on radio on Monday last that republicans are not involved in criminal actions. However, anybody would say a post office robbery is a criminal action. In that context, my thoughts moved to the question of what is and who are the IRA. When growing up in this country in the 1970s against the backdrop of the Troubles in Northern Ireland and the situation in the Republic, the IRA was considered to be "over there" while we were all "over here". To a large extent, we still see it that way. However, whether we like it or not, the IRA has grown out of and is part of our history. In ending what the IRA is and in seeing it finished and consigned to the past, there must be a process in which our community asks what is and who are the IRA within the community and what we, as civil society, must do to ensure its role is over and done with. This includes criminality.

Standing against criminality is extremely important and must be done. I know all Members in both Houses of the Oireachtas stand firmly on this issue. However, simply to state that criminality is wrong will not on its own end what the IRA is. This country has a long history in which the IRA has been part of our community. Therefore, I am not answering the question but asking what we, as a community, a society, a nation and a country, North and South, must do, and who we have to be to bring the role and presence of the IRA to an end.