Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 16 January 2013
61. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he has discussed the recent violent protest near Belfast City Hall with the First Minister or Deputy First Minister; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55447/12]
View answerIn recent weeks we have seen widespread street violence in a Belfast and elsewhere in Northern Ireland. We have seen attacks on the Police Service of Northern Ireland including the attempted murder of police officers and widespread attempts to intimidate public representatives and their families. I have condemned these events unreservedly. I have remained in contact with the Secretary of State Theresa Villiers and with the party leaders in Northern Ireland throughout. Over the past week I have spoken with Peter Robinson, Martin McGuinness, David Ford, Mike Nesbitt and Alasdair McDonnell. I will be travelling to Belfast tomorrow morning to meet with the Secretary of State, and the First Minister and Deputy First Minister. Officials from my Department continue to work closely with the British Government and with political representatives in Northern Ireland to identify ways to address not just the current crisis but its underlying causes.
Security cooperation between the Gardaí and the PSNI is at its most effective level ever. The PSNI are on the front line dealing with the violence of recent weeks – 99 police officers have been injured to date – and I want to reiterate my steadfast support for them in dealing with these most difficult circumstances.
I also wish to take this opportunity to put on record the Government’s abhorrence at the attempts on the lives of police officers.
The vast majority of people in Northern Ireland want to see an end to street violence. The rioters are in effect wrecking their own communities. This year has the potential to be a great year for tourism to Northern. That potential must not be jeopardised by the recent terrible images from Belfast that have been beamed around the world by international media.
The economic cost of recent events is becoming apparent. Apart from the cost of the policing operation – estimated at £7 million – foreign direct investment, the retail trade and tourism are all at risk. The Confederation of British Industry Director in Northern Ireland has warned of the economic damage being inflicted on local businesses, tourism and investment.
It is my hope that out of this setback, we will see a redoubling of efforts to achieve a genuinely reconciled society in Northern Ireland. It is a reminder to all that the peace process is exactly that – a process which still has some way to go. Political cooperation and security cooperation on this island has never been better and we can rely on these relationships of trust and on the resilience of the Good Friday Agreement to create space for progress beyond the current difficulties.
