Brian Hayes (Fine Gael)

The US Supreme Court has ruled on four counts against the summary, extra-judicial justice in Guantanamo Bay, a major plank of the Bush Administration in its alleged fight against terrorism. I welcome the ruling and the fact that it was the highest court in the US that determined that specific pressure must be put on the Administration to resolve this issue. It is exacerbating the situation internationally and encouraging people to take up arms against the US and other democracies. This House debated the matter and has always sought an all-party basis for an end to summary justice in Guantanamo Bay. This judgment is a welcome development and the US Administration must take account of the highest court in the land, which has determined that these practices are unacceptable, outside democratic norms and contrary to every international agreement to which the US is party.

I welcome the statements made by the British Prime Minister and the Taoiseach concerning what is required should agreement not be reached in November between the Northern parties on the full re-establishment of the Executive and the full workings of the Agreement. Both Prime Ministers were correct to lay it on the line for the parties. If agreement is not reached by November, they will continue to enhance co-operation between North and South, implement the Agreement where possible and work on a joint basis on important elements of North-South co-operation for which the Irish people have voted.

It is right that pressure be brought to bear on all parties in Northern Ireland to come to an agreement on this issue once and for all. The will of the Irish people, as represented in support for the Good Friday Agreement, should be enforced. Fine Gael welcomes and supports the statements and wishes the Government well in its work between now and November to put pressure on all concerned to carry out what is in the interests of North-South co-operation and the people of this island.