Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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100. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on recent reports of children as young as seven marching in Easter parades in Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17252/13]

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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The incident referred to by the Deputy occurred at an Easter Parade commemoration in the Ardoyne area of north Belfast last month. This parade, which was organised by disparate strands of anti-Agreement republicanism, involved very young children who were pictured parading in paramilitary style clothing including black gloves, beret and black sunglasses. Regrettably, this is not an isolated example of terrorist supporting organisations and groups attempting to draw young persons back into a tradition of violence and in conflict with the forces of law and order. To perpetuate a cycle of violence and the use of violence for political ends is to perpetrate an abuse of children. Ireland has long urged and endorsed the protection of children in conflict and post conflict situations. We have committed ourselves in the Paris Declaration of 2007 to protect children from unlawful recruitment or use by armed forces or armed groups as a cornerstone of our foreign policy. This deplorable incident reminds us that it is essential, particularly during this decade of centenaries, that historical events in Ireland are commemorated responsibly in a way which secures peace and advances reconciliation despite the legacy of violence which is an inescapable part of our history.

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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101. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on the apparent increase in dissident activity in Northern Ireland and in particular the recent threats to the Deputy First Minister; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17253/13]

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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The threat which the so-called 'dissident republican' groups present is a matter of shared concern North and South. There is a strong, shared resolve to take all necessary actions within the law to bear down on such groups. Combating their activities has always been and remains a priority for the Government and the Garda authorities. In this regard, the Garda authorities continue to work closely with their PSNI counterparts in combating the violence and criminal activities of these groups and in seeking to improve community safety for everybody on this island. Threats of the type to which the Deputy refers, against elected public representatives, are to be deplored not only because they threaten the safety of an individual but also because they are an attack on democracy and free speech, which are the hallmarks of a civilised society.