I wish the Taoiseach and the Government well in the delicate negotiations, which are at a sensitive stage, in respect of the Good Friday Agreement. I sincerely hope these sensitive discussions will have a successful conclusion.
I want to raise the serious implications of the decision handed down today by the Special Criminal Court. A person, with a close association with a Member, was convicted of IRA membership, conducting the dual role of Dublin IRA brigade intelligence officer and that of an election agent for a Sinn Féin Deputy. When this matter was raised in 2003 the Taoiseach said this was rubbish and the situation did not exist. When did the Taoiseach become aware from intelligence briefings that the surveillance of movements of Members from both his party and mine was actively put under way by the persons concerned? I understand that up to 20 Members were not informed by the appropriate authorities that this surveillance of movements, observation or spying, was being conducted? Why have Members had to read this in the newspapers? This activity took place when the IRA was on ceasefire yet those convicted were on active duty. Will the Taoiseach confirm that they will not be released under any terms of the Good Friday Agreement?