Trevor Sargent (Dublin North, Green Party)
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Question 253: To ask the Taoiseach if the British Prime Minister, Mr. Tony Blair, will be called on to hold a full independent public inquiry into the murder of Mr. Pat Finucane in the interest of transparency, in view of the findings of Judge Peter Cory's investigation into collusion between paramilitaries and security forces in Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2784/06]

Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)
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The Government continues to support a full independent public inquiry into the murder of Patrick Finucane. We have made clear that we want to see the standard agreed at Weston Park and set by Judge Cory adhered to. We continue to share the concern of the Finucane family that the new Inquiries Act, under which the British Government intends to have the Finucane case investigated, will not meet these standards. We have raised these concerns with the British Government.

The family has our full and continuing support in all their tireless efforts over so many years to achieve the full truth in this deeply disturbing case.

Paudge Connolly (Cavan-Monaghan, Independent)
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Question 254: To ask the Taoiseach his views on the possibility of achieving a restoration of the Northern Ireland Executive and political institutions in 2006; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2856/06]

Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)
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The Government remains fully committed to the peace process and the full implementation of the Good Friday Agreement. I met Prime Minister Blair in Farmleigh on 26 January. Our main topic of discussion was the way ahead in Northern Ireland. As was stated after my meeting with Prime Minister Blair, the early restoration of the devolved institutions is in the best interests of everyone in Northern Ireland — 2006 is the decisive year for this process. We would like to see the Northern Ireland Assembly and Executive, and North-South structures restored as soon as possible. The Minister for Foreign Affairs and the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland will convene talks with the Northern Ireland parties, commencing on 6 February, in an aim to restore the Institutions.