SF deputy praises role of Taoiseach in peace process

The Taoiseach's role in the peace process was praised by the Sinn Fein TD, Mr Caoimhghin O Caolain (Cavan-Monaghan), although he supported the motion of no confidence.

He said that "the focused approach of the Taoiseach and of the current Minister for Foreign Affairs have been important in achieving progress".

He said he voted for Mr Ahern in 1997 solely on the basis of his and his party's inclusive approach to the peace process.

However, he pointed out that "the peace process is bigger than any one leader or any one party. Nor can it be dependent on the survival of any single administration in this State."

The peace process was also touched on by former SDLP senior member Mr Austin Currie (FG, Dublin West), who was disappointed that Northern Ireland was still a "political football".

He said he was still happy to pay tribute to the Government for its achievements on Northern Ireland but he regretted the tone of the Taoiseach's remarks in the debate.

"I am disappointed in him [Mr Ahern] and hope that when the immediate pressure of today is released from him he will return to the viewpoint that the achievements in Northern Ireland have been based on the efforts of all parties going back to the Sunningdale arrangements in 1973."

A number of independents spoke in the debate but none of the independents who support the Government took part. Mr Trevor Sargent (Green, Dublin North) said the Government's handling of so many issues "has let down so many people that the only decent option it has is to do a long therapeutic session in opposition".

"The Taoiseach spoke of leaving a monument in his wake. Sadly for him, whatever monument he wishes to carve out of his imagination will be coated with a thick layer of sleaze."

Mr Joe Higgins (SP, Dublin West) said that "there is a section of Irish society which has confidence in the Government. It is, however, a very small but very rich and powerful section which is comprised of land speculators, housing profiteers, rack-renting landlords and tax-dodging Ansbacher men."

He also hit out at the PDs. "Three years ago, the Progressive Democrats signed on for what they thought would be a cruise but to their horror they have found themselves on a manic roller-coaster ride and have screamed their way through crisis after crisis. They are completely disoriented and, unfortunately, are unable to disentangle themselves from their Fianna Fail partners for fear of what the people lying in wait for them in the grass will do."

The newest TD, Mr Seamus Healy (Independent, Tipperary South) asked the Taoiseach how he could claim that the Government "is building the framework for a politics that earns public respect when you have prevented Hugh O'Flaherty being called before a committee of this House to explain his role in the Sheedy affair".