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Dáil Éireann Vol. 894 Tuesday, No. 3 3 November 2015 DÍOSPÓIREACHTAÍ PARLAIMINTE PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES DÁIL ÉIREANN TUAIRISC OIFIGIÚIL—Neamhcheartaithe (OFFICIAL REPORT—Unrevised) 03/11/2015A00100Ceisteanna - Questions � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 2 03/11/2015A00200Priority Questions� � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 2 03/11/2015A00250Northern Ireland � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 2 03/11/2015C00300Foreign Conflicts � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 4 03/11/2015E00300Human Rights Issues � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 7 03/11/2015G00300Middle East Peace Process � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 9 03/11/2015J00550Foreign Conflicts � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 11 03/11/2015L00225Other Questions � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 13 03/11/2015L00250Northern Ireland � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 13 03/11/2015N00300Foreign Conflicts � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 15 03/11/2015O00450Overseas Development Aid Expenditure� � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 17 03/11/2015P00700Topical Issue Matters � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 19 03/11/2015P00900Leaders’ Questions � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 20 03/11/2015S01200Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 28 03/11/2015S01250EU Issues � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 28 03/11/2015Z00100Order of Business � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 44 03/11/2015CC00100Management Fees (Local Property Tax) Relief Bill 2015: Second Stage (Resumed) [Private Members] � � � � � 51 03/11/2015CC00500Report regarding service by the Defence Forces with the United Nations in 2014: Referral to Select Committee � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 53 03/11/2015CC00800Northern Ireland: Statements � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 54 03/11/2015SS00200Message from Select Sub-Committee � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 86 03/11/2015SS00400Topical Issue Debate � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 87 03/11/2015SS00450State Pension (Contributory) Eligibility � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 87 03/11/2015TT00400Vaccination Programme� � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 89 03/11/2015VV00500Private Rented Accommodation Price Controls � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 93 03/11/2015WW00400Travellers’ Rights: Motion [Private Members]� � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 96 DÁIL ÉIREANN Dé Máirt, 3 Samhain 2015 Tuesday, 3 November 2015 Chuaigh an Leas-Cheann Comhairle i gceannas ar 2 p.m. Paidir. Prayer. 03/11/2015A00100Ceisteanna - Questions 03/11/2015A00200Priority Questions 03/11/2015A00250Northern Ireland 03/11/2015A00300100� Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the progress made in the all-party talks in Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37185/15] 03/11/2015A00400Deputy Brendan Smith: In recent weeks and months in Northern Ireland we have seen political instability reach a significant peak in the form of budgetary clashes on welfare reform and following more recent revelations on the assessment of the structure, role and purpose of paramilitary organisations by the PSNI and MI5. The political stalemate and the wider politi- cal and societal instability it fosters must not be allowed to continue. Every effort needs to be made by the participants, in particular the Irish Government in its role of co-guarantor of the Good Friday Agreement, to put the peace process on a permanent and sustainable footing and ensure the all-party talks will result in a successful outcome. I wish the Minister, the British Government and all the parties every success in these very important talks, which should be nearing a conclusion. 03/11/2015A00500Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade (Deputy Charles Flanagan): Following the re- quest by the Taoiseach and the British Prime Minister, Mr. Cameron, my colleague, the Min- ister of State, Deputy Sean Sherlock, and I, together with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Ms Theresa Villiers, facilitated a return of the five main parties in Northern Ireland to round table talks. The talks resumed on 21 September and are continuing in a constructive atmosphere. I have worked closely with the Secretary of State, Ms Villiers, in encouraging all parties to continue to engage in a constructive manner in the talks process. As well as round table sessions, the talks are taking place in bilateral and trilateral format and good work is also 2 3 November 2015 being done in discussions between the parties themselves. The more inclusive the engagement, the better the final agreement will be. My current assessment is that the talks have now moved to an intensive phase and we are making good progress around the implementation of the Stormont House Agreement as well as dealing with the legacy and impact of paramilitarism. The Stormont House Agreement, concluded in December 2014, offers a blueprint for overcoming current difficulties in the Ex- ecutive, especially around financing welfare reform and dealing with the legacy of the past. It is also crucial that the work started by the Stormont House Agreement on establishing new institutions to deal with the legacy of the past be completed so that justice and truth can bring what healing is possible to victims and survivors of the troubles and their families. It is essential that all five main parties in Northern Ireland, with the support of the two Gov- ernments, urgently advance full implementation of the Stormont House Agreement and address the impact and legacy of continuing paramilitary activity. While significant challenges remain, I am hopeful that, with committed and collective engagement, we can make real progress on the critical issues in the coming days with a view to a successful conclusion of the talks. An agreed outcome, supported by all five parties, would be an important step forward, not just for politics, but for the further normalisation of society in Northern Ireland. 03/11/2015B00200Deputy Brendan Smith: I thank the Minister for his response and I hope this intensive phase of the talks will draw to a successful conclusion. The need for such a conclusion is evi- dently demonstrated by the report on paramilitary activity, which makes for stark reading, and the attendant problems for communities on both sides of the Border. As the House knows, that report points out that individual provisional IRA members remain involved in criminal activity, such as large-scale smuggling, and there have been isolated incidents of violence, including murders. The report also points out the illegal activities and the unacceptable activity of other paramilitary groups that have no place in society either, such as the UVF, the Ulster Defence Association and the INLA. There is an urgent need to have all of these issues dealing with the legacy of the past and ongoing criminal activity dealt with in a comprehensive manner. The Minister would be aware that last March, I brought legislation to the House calling for the establishment of an all-Ireland cross-Border forum. This would comprise members of An Garda Síochána, the PSNI, our cus- toms service, the Northern Ireland customs service, the Environmental Protection Agency and its counterparts north of the Border and other relevant statutory agencies. I welcome the fact the Minister has indicated he is thinking along those lines. Will he assure us that the establish- ment of such an agency, with a remit and focus to deal with criminality on both sides of the Border, will be a central part of the ongoing all-party discussions in Stormont and will he assure us that such a body will have an important remit to deal with the outstanding issues arising
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