Jack Wall (Kildare South, Labour)
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Question 71: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on the recent spate of rioting by loyalists and attacks on Catholic communities in Northern Ireland throughout the summer of 2005; if he met loyalist and Unionist representatives to persuade them to use their influence to end these attacks; if he has met SDLP and Sinn Féin representatives in the areas concerned; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26838/05]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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The Government has been consistent in condemning all sectarian attacks. In the Good Friday Agreement, the parties and the two Governments affirmed the right of everyone to be free from sectarian harassment, and it is a key priority of the Government to see that this promise becomes a reality.

Where there are disputes with regard to parades, they can only be resolved through dialogue and positive engagement with the Parades Commission. We have seen what can be achieved with the main Orange Order march on 12 July in Derry this year where, for the first time in 13 years, cross-community agreement was sought and reached for a route, including the city side of the Foyle. It has shown that it is possible, through leadership and genuine commitment to constructive negotiation, to end damaging cycles of confrontation and, in time, begin new traditions of mutual respect.

With regard to the worrying pattern of sectarian attacks witnessed in recent months, my officials have been in constant contact with representatives of both communities to discuss their concerns. In addition, I made a number of visits to west Belfast and County Antrim to meet those directly affected by the recent violence. I also met separately representatives of the SDLP and Sinn Féin from these areas to hear their views on how best we can ensure that future incidents of this kind are prevented. I have also raised the issue in my discussions with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland and will do so again at the forthcoming meeting of the BIIGC.

This is a critical issue. A day of violence can undermine months of patient work to build trust between communities. It is essential that those with influence in their communities, in particular political leaders, exercise their influence to promote calm and restraint. If the people of Northern Ireland are to be free of fear and the threat of violence, it requires that all those who claim to lead do all in their power to prevent religious or sectarian violence continuously and without exception.