Enda Kenny
Question:1 Mr. Kenny asked the Taoiseach if he will report on recent developments in the Northern Ireland peace process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24216/05]
Ceisteanna — Questions.
Northern Ireland Issues.
Enda Kenny
Question:2 Mr. Kenny asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his recent contacts with the political parties in Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24217/05]
Enda Kenny
Question:3 Mr. Kenny asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his recent contacts with the British Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24218/05]
Enda Kenny
Question:4 Mr. Kenny asked the Taoiseach when he next expects to meet the British Prime Minister, Mr. Blair; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24219/05]
Enda Kenny
Question:5 Mr. Kenny asked the Taoiseach when the Forum for Peace and Reconciliation will next meet; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24224/05]
Enda Kenny
Question:6 Mr. Kenny asked the Taoiseach when he next expects to visit the United States; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24225/05]
Pat Rabbitte
Question:7 Mr. Rabbitte asked the Taoiseach when he last met the British Prime Minister; when he next expects to meet him; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24370/05]
Pat Rabbitte
Question:8 Mr. Rabbitte asked the Taoiseach if he will make a statement on his most recent contacts with the political parties in Northern Ireland. [24371/05]
Pat Rabbitte
Question:9 Mr. Rabbitte asked the Taoiseach if he will make a statement on the outcome of his meeting with a delegation from the SDLP on 29 July 2005. [24372/05]
Pat Rabbitte
Question:10 Mr. Rabbitte asked the Taoiseach the Government’s views on the statement issued by the IRA on 28 July 2005; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24373/05]
Pat Rabbitte
Question:11 Mr. Rabbitte asked the Taoiseach his views on the prospects for political progress in Northern Ireland in the aftermath of the statement issued by the IRA on 28 July 2005; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24374/05]
Pat Rabbitte
Question:12 Mr. Rabbitte asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his most recent contacts with the United States Administration; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24378/05]
Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin
Question:13 Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his role in the peace process since the IRA statement of 28 July 2005; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24382/05]
Pat Rabbitte
Question:14 Mr. Rabbitte asked the Taoiseach his views on the likely impact on political developments in Northern Ireland of the return here of three Irish citizens sentenced for serious offences in Colombia; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24448/05]
Pat Rabbitte
Question:15 Mr. Rabbitte asked the Taoiseach when he last met representatives of Sinn Féin; if, at this meeting, he raised the implications for political developments of the return here of three Irish citizens sentenced for serious offences in Colombia; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24449/05]
Pat Rabbitte
Question:16 Mr. Rabbitte asked the Taoiseach if he has any contacts with representatives of the Colombian Government regarding the return here of three Irish citizens sentenced for serious offences in Colombia; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24450/05]
Pat Rabbitte
Question:17 Mr. Rabbitte asked the Taoiseach if he has any contacts with representatives of the British Government regarding the return here of three Irish citizens sentenced for serious offences in Colombia; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24451/05]
Pat Rabbitte
Question:18 Mr. Rabbitte asked the Taoiseach if he has any contacts with representatives of the United States Administration regarding the return here of three Irish citizens sentenced for serious offences in Colombia; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24452/05]
Enda Kenny
Question:19 Mr. Kenny asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his recent contacts with the Colombian Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24521/05]
Finian McGrath
Question:20 Mr. F. McGrath asked the Taoiseach the position regarding the peace process and future plans to develop this important matter for persons here. [24620/05]
Finian McGrath
Question:21 Mr. F. McGrath asked the Taoiseach if he will act immediately in regard to the increasing sectarian violence in Northern Ireland and outline the efforts the Government has made to end these horrific attacks on the minority population; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24813/05]
Pat Rabbitte
Question:22 Mr. Rabbitte asked the Taoiseach if he will make a statement on the outcome of his meeting with the US Special Envoy, Mr. Mitchell Reiss. [24838/05]
Pat Rabbitte
Question:23 Mr. Rabbitte asked the Taoiseach if at any meeting with representatives of the Unionist parties in Northern Ireland he has raised the issue of continued violence by loyalist paramilitary organisations and the street violence which is believed to have been orchestrated by loyalist paramilitary organisations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25005/05]
Pat Rabbitte
Question:24 Mr. Rabbitte asked the Taoiseach the discussions he has had with representatives of Sinn Féin regarding any right of audience or attendance in the Houses of the Oireachtas by elected representatives from Northern Ireland; the undertakings he has given to Sinn Féin in regard to this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25006/05]
Pat Rabbitte
Question:25 Mr. Rabbitte asked the Taoiseach if his attention has been drawn to an article in a newspaper (details supplied) written by the President of Sinn Féin, Mr. Gerry Adams, in which he stated that the Taoiseach had given a commitment that MPs elected in Northern Ireland would be able to speak in Dáil Éireann; if any such commitment was given; if not, the nature of the undertaking in this matter which was given by the Taoiseach; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25007/05]
Trevor Sargent
Question:26 Mr. Sargent asked the Taoiseach if he will report on meetings he has had or plans to have with the Northern Ireland political parties to discuss the sudden upsurge of violence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25021/05]
Trevor Sargent
Question:27 Mr. Sargent asked the Taoiseach if he will report on meetings he has had or plans to have with the US Administration regarding the Northern Ireland peace process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25022/05]
Trevor Sargent
Question:28 Mr. Sargent asked the Taoiseach if he will report on any contact he has had with the US Administration regarding the arrival here of the Colombia Three; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25023/05]
Trevor Sargent
Question:29 Mr. Sargent asked the Taoiseach when he next expects to meet with the British Prime Minister, Mr Tony Blair; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25206/05]
Joe Higgins
Question:30 Mr. J. Higgins asked the Taoiseach if he has received a request for a meeting with the family of a murder victim (details supplied). [25334/05]
Joe Higgins
Question:31 Mr. J. Higgins asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his meeting in Dublin with President George W. Bush’s special peace envoy Mr. Mitchell Reiss. [25335/05]
Joe Higgins
Question:32 Mr. J. Higgins asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his recent contacts with the parties in Northern Ireland. [25336/05]
Joe Higgins
Question:33 Mr. J. Higgins asked the Taoiseach when he will next meet the President of the United States of America, Mr. George W. Bush; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25338/05]
Joe Higgins
Question:34 Mr. J. Higgins asked the Taoiseach when he next plans to meet the British Prime Minister, Mr. Tony Blair. [25339/05]
Pat Rabbitte
Question:35 Mr. Rabbitte asked the Taoiseach the matters discussed at his meeting on 27 September 2005 with members of the family of a person (details supplied) who was murdered in Dublin in April 2005; if he has raised the matter with representatives of Sinn Féin; the response he has received; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26763/05]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 1 to 35, inclusive, together.
When the Government met the Sinn Féin leadership in January, we made it clear that there needed to be an end to all paramilitary and criminal activity and IRA decommissioning had to be completed. This was essential if there was to be any real prospect of re-establishing momentum in the peace process and ensuring the full implementation of the Good Friday Agreement.
On 28 July the IRA stated that it would end its armed campaign. I welcomed that statement. I also made clear that words had to be borne out by actions.
As Deputies will know, the Irish and British Governments received a report from the Independent International Commission on Decommissioning on 26 September. This report confirmed that the commission had overseen the completion of IRA decommissioning and that the IRA has now placed the totality of its arsenal beyond use. Very large quantities of weapons were involved. In our joint statement, Prime Minister Blair and I warmly welcomed this landmark development.
The work of General de Chastelain and his team on the IICD is greatly appreciated. The independent witnesses, Reverend Harold Good and Fr. Alex Reid, have also made an enormously valuable contribution to the process. These are all men of integrity. Their words were clear and very welcome. They have done the people of this island a great service. We are relieved that this difficult chapter of the peace process can now be closed.
Many people have suffered through the use of these weapons. This suffering should not have happened. We cannot forget our sad and tragic past. We cannot undo damage done, but I hope we can also look forward with renewed hope and promise.
I appreciate that some people remain to be convinced regarding the decommissioning of IRA weapons. However, I have urged that the importance of the IICD statement regarding IRA decommissioning should not be underestimated.
The next report of the Independent Monitoring Commission will be published this month. This will give an indication of progress on the ending of IRA paramilitary and criminal activity. There will be a further IMC report in January. I hope these reports will confirm IRA paramilitary and criminal activity has ended. If this happens, it will certainly boost trust and confidence and greatly enhance the prospects of political progress.
In welcoming IRA decommissioning, we have also emphasised the need for progress on completing the decommissioning of loyalist weapons. We hope loyalist paramilitary groups will engage with the IICD and that weapons from these groups can also be put beyond use as soon as possible.
The Government remains in ongoing contact with all the parties in Northern Ireland. I have meetings scheduled this month with the SDLP and the Alliance Party. I also hope to meet the DUP and the UUP in the coming period.
In addition to ongoing close contacts between the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Deputy Dermot Ahern, and the Northern Secretary at official level, I met the British Prime Minister, Mr. Blair, in London on 27 June. I will meet the Prime Minister again next week to review the current situation. I met the SDLP on 29 July and we discussed political developments, including the IRA's statement that had been released only the day before.
I met Sinn Féin on 23 September. At that meeting, I reiterated the message that we needed to see completion of decommissioning and an end to criminality and all paramilitary activity. We also discussed recent violence in Northern Ireland and how momentum in the peace process could be restored. An issue of central importance in ongoing discussions with Sinn Féin is the question of its support for policing in Northern Ireland. In the new situation that arises out of the IRA statement of 28 July and the decommissioning of IRA weapons, this must now be a key priority. We have made it clear that there is no justification for denying full support for policing and that early progress in this area is essential.
I am very concerned by the spate of sectarian attacks in communities in Belfast, north Antrim and elsewhere. The Minister for Foreign Affairs met representatives from many of these communities a number of times recently and heard at first hand the details of these attacks. The loyalist violence in recent weeks has been among the most serious seen for many years in Northern Ireland. I unreservedly condemn all of this violence and have called on all other political and community leaders to do likewise. I have also called for strong leadership. This must come first from the Unionist and loyalist parties, although everybody has a role to play in addressing these problems.
The US Government continues to play an important and welcome role. I recently met Mitchell Reiss, President Bush's special envoy on Northern Ireland, when he visited Dublin. I briefed him on the current political situation. I know that he and the US Administration have been following recent developments closely and have welcomed them. I do not have any current plans to visit the United States.
The Government had no advance notice of the return of the so-called Colombia Three, nor was the matter raised in any discussions with Sinn Féin. Following their return, I instructed my officials to brief the Colombian, American and British authorities on the Government's position. We have stressed that the Government will meet any international legal obligations arising in this case. The Minister for Foreign Affairs recently met his Colombian colleagues in New York and availed of this opportunity to reiterate this point directly. As regards any breach of Irish law, the matter is now an operational one for the Garda Síochána and, as appropriate, the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions and will be dealt with in accordance with due process.
Sinn Féin has confirmed that the content of the newspaper article of 5 August by the Sinn Féin leader regarding Oireachtas participation by Northern MPs was exaggerated. I will write to the other party leaders shortly with proposals on this matter and seek their views on these proposals. The proposals, which relate to both Houses, will be faithful to the recommendations of the all-party committee report. This House will ultimately decide for itself how it wishes to proceed. There is no question of granting Northern Ireland MPs any rights and privileges in this House.
Deputies will be aware that both Governments are committed to dealing with the question of so-called on-the-runs, OTRs, in the context of a verified end to all IRA paramilitary and criminal activity. Proposals will be made towards the end of this year. Any such proposals will not apply to anyone involved in the killing of Detective Garda Jerry McCabe. I have already made it clear that there will be no early release for those already serving sentences for that crime. The question of further sessions of the Forum for Peace and Reconciliation will be kept under review.
I met the family of the late Joseph Rafferty on 27 September and told them that I would again raise their concerns with the Sinn Féin leader when we next met and would pass on their concerns to the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform. The question of charges and court proceedings against the person or persons responsible for the murder are operational matters for the appropriate authorities.
I thank the Taoiseach for that comprehensive reply in respect of Northern Ireland issues. This side of the House has accepted the word of General de Chastelain and the two clergymen with regard to the detail of what they saw being decommissioned. On foot of his meeting with General de Chastelain can the Taoiseach say whether the amount seen by the general and his colleagues as having been decommissioned is in line with the estimate provided to them by the Government? Does the Taoiseach intend at any time in the future to publish the estimate the Government provided to General de Chastelain in the first instance, to give the public a real and accurate perception of what was involved?
People often view the meetings the Taoiseach attends in his capacity as Taoiseach from different points of view. I assume public servants or other Ministers were present during the Taoiseach's various official meetings with Sinn Féin delegations. The Taoiseach has also held a number of meetings in his constituency clinic with members of Sinn Féin, including the president of that party. People are sometimes confused about whether such meetings are official meetings or simply meetings with acquaintances. Did the Taoiseach discuss a range of issues with Sinn Féin officials — I refer in particular to the president of Sinn Féin — at the meetings that were not listed as being official? Would the Taoiseach like to indicate what the issues were?
I am conscious that other Members would like to ask questions. Six of the questions before the House are in my name. I would like to ask another supplementary question after the Taoiseach responds to the questions I have asked.
General de Chastelain's full team from the Independent International Commission on Decommissioning was present during the meeting I had with him last week. At that meeting, he reiterated what is in his statement — that he is quite satisfied about all of the decommissioning issues and that the decommissioning is in line with the estimates given by security sources. It was not the Government that gave the commission the details of what was considered to be held by the IRA. The estimates were made by the Army and the Garda. The agreement on all of that, as it is set out, is that at the end of the period, when decommissioning is finished and General de Chastelain and his team have fulfilled their role, those issues will be clarified. They are on the security records.
I do not make any distinction between the types of meetings mentioned by Deputy Kenny. I often meet people to discuss Northern Ireland outside the glare of publicity, because that is more convenient. The message does not change on such occasions. Like my predecessors, I have always held such meetings with all kinds of people from Northern Ireland. The president of Sinn Féin, Gerry Adams, is one of the people I meet in such circumstances, but he is certainly not the only one. People from Northern Ireland often agree to meet me only if the meetings are not publicised. There are many reasons for that. I have met people who represent all kinds of interests and groups, including the UDA, the UVF and the Red Hand Commandos, in such circumstances. Such people do not want to be photographed with me and at times I do not want to be photographed with them. The basis of the meetings does not change. I have met representatives of many other organisations and groups in Northern Ireland, but the message never changes. The messages I communicate at the meetings are always kept on the record of my Department, in so far as they are relevant. The message I communicated at my meetings this year with Sinn Féin, which was mentioned by Deputy Kenny, was exactly as I have outlined. I spoke about the need for decommissioning, an end to criminality and an end to paramilitarism. That message never changes.
I am satisfied with the Taoiseach's clarification that the estimate was not actually provided by the Government, but by the Garda and Army intelligence. It may be possible at some future time to be given an idea of the estimate.
Will the Taoiseach give the House an update, based on the briefings given to him, on what is happening in respect of the follow-up to the Northern Bank raid? Quite a long time has passed since the House was last given any news or information about the matter. It is obvious that some high-profile personnel in the country have been mentioned as being associated with the Northern Bank raid. Perhaps the Taoiseach might like to give some information, in so far as he can, about what is happening in that regard.
I am glad the Taoiseach met the Rafferty family, as did I. This murder has all the sinister qualities of and similarities to the McCartney murder. How struck was the Taoiseach by the strength, force of argument and conviction of the family about the murder of Joseph Rafferty? Will he ensure that his efforts are based not only on his next meeting with Sinn Féin but that he will continue to raise these concerns until such time as the perpetrator or perpetrators of this murder, who appear to be very well known, are brought before the courts and serve under the justice and laws of the land for this atrocious crime?
We receive continual updates on the Northern Bank robbery. It is being intensely investigated and very senior members of the Garda Síochána are involved in that. It is a complex matter. Without getting into detail, the Garda is getting on with it. The effort has focused on the money trail and this continues to be the case. The matter is complicated so I will say no more. However, it is focused on the money trail.
I met the family of Joseph Rafferty, as did many Members, on 27 September. I expressed the Government's sympathies on their tragic loss along with the hope that the person or persons involved would be brought to justice at the earliest possible time. I confirmed to the family that I had raised the matter with Sinn Féin on Friday, 23 September. I indicated that I will raise some of the issues which the family asked me to raise at my next meeting with Sinn Féin, which will take place in the near future.
Any action with regard to charges and court proceedings against the person or persons responsible is a matter for the appropriate authorities. However, as Deputy Kenny stated, while we must leave all of the legal aspects of these matters to the investigation, it is always uncomfortable when everybody seems to know what happened and everybody gives the same names. Nonetheless, it is necessary for the evidence to stand up in a court of law. The family acknowledge that the Garda Síochána is working closely with them to try to bring the murderer and accomplices to justice.
I commend the Taoiseach and all those directly involved in the peace process. This issue is bigger than all of us and, hence, I commend all those involved, right back to the Hume-Adams talks, such as Mr. Albert Reynolds and Fr. Alec Reid. Does the Taoiseach agree that we all owe a huge debt to these people?
Does the Taoiseach share my concern about recent sectarian attacks? I also raise the question of loyalist guns. What plans have the two Governments on this major issue which directly affects the Northern minority? With regard to loyalist guns and Ulster Resistance, has the Taoiseach asked Dr. Paisley or Mr. Peter Robinson about the importation of loyalist guns which were subsequently used for sectarian attacks? Does he accept the Northern minority is fed up with many speakers in this House who constantly ignore their plight, particularly in recent weeks?
When the Minister for Foreign Affairs met the Vice President of Colombia, did he raise the issue of human rights abuses in that country? Did he meet the Coca Cola workers whose colleagues were slaughtered on the front line in their factories? Did he meet human rights representatives and lawyers whose families were butchered by right-wing death squads, backed by the military government in Colombia? Did he raise these human rights issues? There are two sides to that conflict. We must hear both sides if we are to try to assist and develop the peace process there.
Must we all hang around while the DUP makes up its mind? Does the Taoiseach accept that many of us are getting sick to the teeth of the DUP's constant undermining of General de Chastelain and others such as Fr. Alec Reid? When does he foresee real dialogue and the institutions up and running?
I thank the Deputy for his opening remarks about everybody who has been involved. Fr. Alex Reid and Rev. Good are people of the highest integrity and credibility and I hope people take note of what they said. There is a growing view that perhaps people will take note and that they will understand the job they have done and the assistance they have given.
My colleague, the Minister for Foreign Affairs, met the Minister for Foreign Affairs, not the Prime Minister, of Colombia. He covered the issues in respect of the Colombia three from our side and in terms of our responsibilities. He also raised human rights and other issues generally.
There has been much sectarian violence over the past five or six weeks, particularly since 12 July and again from 10-12 September when the situation was very serious, certainly for a period of approximately 48 hours. That concerns us. There have been a number of sectarian acts on all sides that have not been helpful. The Deputy will appreciate that I have to try to be even-handed all the time. People from the Nationalist community and from the loyalist community correct uneven-handedness.
I condemn all sectarian acts. I condemn the sectarian attacks on Dr. Paisley's church in recent days when a number of windows were smashed. I condemn the loyalist protest last weekend at the blessing of Catholic graves in a municipal cemetery in Carnmoney in Antrim. That graveyard serves both Catholic and Protestant communities but loyalists are alleged to have threatened to exhume bodies and to urinate on the resting places of Catholics in a shared cemetery. Clearly, this is a particularly repulsive sectarian display which I condemn outright as I do all attacks. The loyalists groups appeared to make a comparison between the blessing ceremony and the previous forced re-routing of the Orange parade in Whiterock. All right-thinking people — Catholic, Protestant and neither — are repulsed by these so-called protests and our officials in Belfast will continue to monitor the situation. Whether committed by so-called Nationalists or so-called loyalists, I condemn all such attacks equally. It is appropriate for me as well as everybody else, to do that.
I wholeheartedly welcome the report of General de Chastelain, Fr. Reid and Rev. Good. In welcoming the involvement of everybody who has helped to bring about the verification and the move beyond violence on the part of the Provisional IRA at any rate, and given that the Minister for Foreign Affairs said that contacts with loyalists paramilitaries were being pursued, will the Taoiseach indicate whether any reports can be given as to the success of those contacts or whether there will be any progress in the near to medium term future on loyalist decommissioning?
Does the Taoiseach see as significant the visit by Dr. Paisley to a Roman Catholic school and his strong condemnation of the loyalist violence against that school in his constituency? Does he see further signs of an acceptance by the DUP that we are moving into a new reality? I hope we can be absolute in our condemnation of violence from any quarter.
I understand the independent monitoring commission report is due this month. Does the Taoiseach have any indication of the report's import? Given the suspicion in some Nationalist areas of the IMC's motives, does the Taoiseach believe the remit needs to be broadened to include State collusion and the wider aspect of criminality in some paramilitary activities? Will the Taoiseach indicate if this is on his agenda? Given the feuding in loyalist areas and the need for Sinn Féin to come on board the policing board to play a full part in ensuring normal and effective policing, will the full implementation of the Patten report's recommendations be accelerated?
We cannot be sure what loyalists may do in the future. However, in every way possible we will keep the contacts we have established. We have some and we will not overstate that, but we try to keep lines of communications open. Some relatively good contacts have been built up, including recently. Precisely what way the loyalists will go is a matter to leave for some time. There is a debate as to where all this will go. The more progress that can be built on the events of last week and July, the better.
We must understand there is a sense of alienation in many of these communities. Regardless of what flag is flying in an estate, loyalist or Nationalist, the problems are similar. We must seek to be helpful and supportive in every way. The Minister for Foreign Affairs, myself and officials on the ground always try to balance whatever we do because it is the best way to make progress. As the Deputy rightly said, we have been monitoring the situation closely in some loyalist areas. The recent upsurge of violence has been a setback, tarnishing the positive image of Northern Ireland. However, there is no question of people returning to violence. Some of it comes from fears or concerns. Perhaps it is felt it is the only way to get a response. We must continue to ensure it is understood that it is not acceptable.
We must also condemn attacks from the other side, such as those on Dr. Paisley's church on the Ravenhill road. While not receiving much publicity, it has been brought to my attention that several Orange Order halls in County Antrim have been attacked. These must be condemned while, at the same time, we must work to make political progress. Some loyalists feel they have been alienated. We must continue to point out that the Good Friday Agreement is about restoring institutions. We should not wait until the second IMC report is published in January to restore institutions. We must continue to work and make the effort between now and then.
The British Prime Minister, Mr. Blair, and I will be active in doing this over the next several weeks. We must wait to see how we can build on recent events. I have, as well as Mr. Blair, scheduled meetings and we will both meet to see how we can plot a path forward until the second IMC report in January.
Returning to the Taoiseach's first statement on the totality of IRA weaponry having been decommissioned, will he deal with recent reports in the media that the IRA may have been permitted to keep several hundred weapons for its own use? Has he an assurance from the British Government or General de Chastelain that no side deal has been done in this regard? In the period between now and the publication of the second IMC report in the new year, how does the Taoiseach intend to encourage dialogue between the parties in Northern Ireland?
I am sure the Taoiseach is well aware that there was much dismay and frustration, particularly on the part of the SDLP, in how it was excluded from the process leading up to the failed Leeds Castle negotiations. Will he ensure that parties like the SDLP and others will all be included in the discussions and dialogue, if there are any? It should not be simply a matter for the two Governments to meet between now and the new year.
The Taoiseach has finally stated he will write to the leaders of the Opposition parties with regard to the recommendations of the All-Party Committee on the Constitution, which I welcome. The recommendations were designed carefully to ensure the Good Friday Agreement is not undermined. Will they be the sole subject of his correspondence?
As far as the Rafferty family is concerned, does the Taoiseach agree this family, like the McCartney family, has shown extraordinary courage and bravery in circumstances no Member would wish to experience? The Taoiseach has stated he will raise this matter the next time he meets the Sinn Féin leader. Will this be an official or an unofficial meeting? In view of the comments he has made in the House, will the Taoiseach state whether a minute is kept of unofficial meetings? While he has stated there is no difference between the two, the records of these meetings are of central importance. Is a record kept of these unofficial meetings? There is no reason why one cannot have an official meeting without photographs, but it is not possible to have one without a record or without civil servants. Hence, there is a difference. When the Taoiseach meets on the issue of the murder of Mr. Joseph Rafferty, will a minute be kept, will it be an official meeting and will it be an ongoing issue for him?
In respect of the Colombia three, has the Government received a formal request for extradition from the Colombian authorities and will the Taoiseach comment?
On the arms issues, the only report is that the totality of the arms have been given up. This was confirmed to me when I met General John de Chastelain and his colleagues last week. There are no other arms and that is the position. No understandings exist on the part of anyone about any arms being held back. I have no information on the source of that assertion. It was certainly not General John de Chastelain, the decommissioning body or the two Governments.
On the question of the Colombia three, the Government has received a request for their extradition. As I stated in my reply, it will go through the process of both a Garda investigation and a DPP investigation.
Regarding the Rafferty case, I raised this at the last meeting with Sinn Féin, which was attended by the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, Deputy McDowell, the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Deputy Dermot Ahern, and quite a large number of officials. Consequently, there are several records of those meetings. As I have stated previously, when I meet people from Northern Ireland, I do not distinguish between meetings that are official or unofficial. However, if matters of note transpire, they are noted. Whether I am there alone or otherwise, I always relay them.
In this House, there is a lack of understanding on the part of some Members which I understand, as they have never been involved in such situations. People from Northern Ireland regularly come to me as Taoiseach — as they did to previous Taoisigh and Tánaistes — to have meeting to which they would not come with officials. That has been their practice. It is simply the way they are and the Deputy has to accept that. If anything is raised, I pass it on. It should not be read in any other way. There will be a meeting with officials at the next meeting because we must go through a number of items. The Rafferty family has asked me to raise some of these issues again and I will do so. They believe that Sinn Féin could be helpful in getting a prosecution.
To be blunt, they know the name of the person who committed this crime and that he is a member of the IRA. Is that not the case?
The Garda will deal with that.
So the Taoiseach will not deal with that.
It must be proved.
I know that. They are alleging that they know the person and the Taoiseach has spoken to them.
Allow the Taoiseach speak without interruption.
I have spoken to them, but knowing and believing something and proving it are entirely different things.
Will the Taoiseach raise this issue as a priority with Sinn Féin?
He said that he would.
I already raised it at the last meeting, along with some other points. I already stated in a reply to Deputy Kenny 20 minutes ago that the same name continually comes up in all discussions on this case. I also stated that there are associates whose names are mentioned as well. There are a number of issues which the family have asked me to raise, but we have already raised that particular point. Everyone is mentioning the same name but that must be proved. As the Deputy knows, that is not easily achieved.
I do not accept that any of the parties have been left out — I would never do that — or that they were left out at Leeds Castle or anywhere else.
The parties feel that way.
They do but I do not accept that. If we talk to Sinn Féin to use its influence to get the IRA to decommission its guns, there is not much point in talking to the SDLP about it. If the DUP has a particular problem, then we talk to the DUP about it. We could not move on in many of these meetings, we had to deal with issues such as decommissioning and criminality, so there was more time spent talking to some of the other parties. That is where the pressure points existed in those talks.
The lion's share of the Irish Government's own meetings has been with the SDLP. We would meet the SDLP more often than any other party, particularly the Minister for Foreign Affairs and other Ministers. The small loyalist parties often make the point that we do not spend enough time talking to them, but we have been trying to do that. We cannot completely influence them, but we can help them in their difficulties. In future meetings, we will continue to deal with all of the parties and to try to make progress.
The second IMC report will be crucial. If all is not well there will not be too much talking to be done. If all is well, however, I hope that we will be able to get into really meaningful discussions on getting the institutions up and running.
I would just like to ask a brief supplementary question.
The Deputy asked two or three supplementary questions already. Deputy Morgan's party had a question submitted.
Some people cannot get away from the issue of officials and guns, but hopefully General de Chastelain will come back and deal with that.
Could the Deputy confine himself to the question?
Given the enormity of the announcement by General de Chastelain of the IICD on 26 September, will the Taoiseach now move to develop a Government strategy around the issue of Irish unity? I noted the comments of the Minister for Transport last weekend, which were extremely positive in this respect. Does the Taoiseach support those comments? Can the Taoiseach confirm that he does not share the opinion of that small group, comprised of Conor Cruise O'Brien and the current leader of the Twenty-six County Labour Party, who would like to see the issue of Irish unity abandoned altogether?
Will the Taoiseach outline the steps the British Government will take to dismantle the obscene necklace of British army watchtowers, especially those along the Border, and to deliver real demilitarisation in Ireland? When can we expect some real movement in terms of British demilitarisation?
On the issue of re-establishing the Assembly and the Executive, is the Government seriously proactive in this regard? Many of us are concerned that too many people are perhaps DUP watching rather than getting on with the business of ensuring that the institutions are put back in place.
The effort now will be to work towards getting successful IMC reports. We have got the IICD reports and the IRA statement, so now the effort will be to try to deal with the issues around restoring the institutions, policing and stability in the institutions. We must try to have satisfactory arrangements so that people will be confident that if we get things up and running they will stay up, not like what has happened over several years.
In regard to watchtowers and demilitarisation generally, we have seen a significant scaling down of the British military presence in Northern Ireland in recent months. A number of the security observation posts in the Border area have been dismantled. These measures are a useful contribution to normalisation of society. We want to see demilitarisation completed within the two-year period set out in the Joint Declaration. That is what we believe will happen. In the light of progress already made in the recent moves of the IRA, I hope this programme can be completed within this time, if not sooner. If it can be done sooner, all the better, but it is well specified in the Joint Declaration agreed a few years ago. The British Government is committed to that and Prime Minister Blair has reiterated that commitment. We will continue to push to ensure that is achieved.
Will we have to wait two years?
It was always the understanding that two years should be the end point. If it can happen more quickly, that would be welcome but a good start has been made. We have seen a substantial number of towers come down.
Is the Taoiseach pressing it?
In the absence of any violence or threat, the British Government will be open to move more quickly. We will certainly endeavour to get it to do that.
The Minister for Social and Family Affairs, Deputy Brennan, reiterated what I said in a recent speech in Cavan. I obviously agree with what he said as he repeated what I said. I agree with a number of other colleagues who also said it. That is what is set out in the Good Friday Agreement. It is sometimes forgotten that this Agreement, which the people clearly supported, stated that while the principle of consent is accepted it is the people within Northern Ireland who will ultimately resolve the issue, and it did cover plebiscites that will take place from time to time.
Deputy Morgan will know as well as I that the time to press that issue is when stability and confidence is restored and when we have the institutions up and running, at which time we can get on with progress in North-South bodies. Even during the care and maintenance arrangements under which we have operated in recent years, all of my Ministers have continued to engage actively and proactively on North-South matters. We will continue to do that and try to build as successfully as we can.
Will we get de Chastelain back to deal with the Officials and their weapons?
The issue of decommissioning on the side about which Deputy Morgan has to worry has finished so we will move on to other areas now.
In the discussions with the Colombian authorities, was there any reference to the victims of the visit of the Colombia Three, in other words, all Irish citizens who are now obliged to get a visa to visit Colombia? We are unique among EU countries in that our citizens are forced to travel to London to be interviewed for a visa. That is a direct consequence of the visit of the Colombia Three. Somebody from Dundalk has to go to London to get a visa while somebody from Newry——
The Deputy should submit a question.
——has free entry to Colombia. Will the Taoiseach state what he expects to do with the Colombian authorities to rectify the injustice against all Irish people because of the visit in question?
As Deputy Allen said, that is an issue. We have not been debating it because we are debating the other issues. However, the aforementioned is the position of the authorities. I do not believe they intend changing it in the short term. I will ask the Minister to make the point when he is communicating with them again.
The Minister and I will deal with the Dundalk people. It will not——
Go raibh maith agat. That concludes Taoiseach's Questions.