Martin Mansergh (Fianna Fail)

As a result of their involvement in a dirty war, he put several Ministers of the Spanish Government behind bars. No one disputes that ETA is a terrorist organisation that murdered and committed horrific acts. This is not the issue and there is no ambivalence about it, but some people who engaged in or authorised a dirty war ended up behind bars. Subsequently, the judge banned the political front of ETA and proceeded extremely rigorously against ETA itself. If we intend to be rigorous, we must be so even-handedly. I fear that across the water, many punches are being pulled. I have heard it said at the highest level on the British side that the Finucane murder is a can of worms. The British Government knows how awful the Finucane case is and is trying to soften the blow. This is not acceptable and the Irish Government should use all diplomatic means to find a more satisfactory outcome.

The degree of co-operation between the Garda Síochána and the PSNI is somewhat satisfactory. Hopefully, this co-operation is free of any fears of collusion. This co-operation is symbolised by the fact that a former adviser to the Minister, and prior to that the Taoiseach when he was in Opposition, is now press relations officer for the PSNI. It is regrettable that the AGSI takes an unhelpful attitude towards the scheme of exchanges and co-operation between the Garda and the PSNI that has been approved by the Oireachtas. It is alleged the AGSI takes this attitude on safety grounds. There are indeed safety considerations but a cynic might suspect it had more to do with money even though the money seems to be very generous. This is not the right way to behave. Both police forces have an interest in maintaining peace and stability. We have moved on and are at a different stage to where we were in the past. A trade union should not be acting as a brake on or an impediment to this type of co-operation, which will hopefully improve circumstances in this country.