Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 19 May 2015
387. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views regarding the increased violence in Northern Ireland and comments made (details supplied) regarding these events not being a positive development; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19146/15]
View answerThere have been a number of security incidents in Northern Ireland in recent weeks that have put lives at risk. A man was murdered while his neighbours were going to work and to school. There were a number of bomb attacks in the Derry area and a device left in Ardoyne saw the public unable to attend mass in the Holy Cross monastery for the only time since its foundation in 1869.
I am conscious there were also a number of attacks and threats against elected representatives in Northern Ireland, including the deputy First Minister. Such acts are reprehensible at any time, but were particularly sinister in the context of the UK general election campaign.
The Police Service of Northern Ireland, whose officers may possibly have been a target, is investigating recent events. I support the PSNI in its work and encourage anyone with information on the attacks to bring it to the police.
There can be no justification for recourse to violence, which is an affront to the expressed will of the people of this island to build a reconciled and prosperous society true to the vision of the Good Friday Agreement.
I will continue to engage with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland and with the Executive parties in our shared endeavour to move Northern Ireland forward. I stay in close and regular contact with Senator Hart, including this week. He has made a very valuable contribution to the negotiations of the Stormont House Agreement and to our collective efforts to ensure its full and faithful implementation.
