I take the opportunity of Leaders' Questions to the Taoiseach today to raise the horrific murder of PSNI officer Ronan Kerr in Omagh at the weekend. We have our political differences but in terms of the rule of law and democracy I believe the Taoiseach and I are on the same side. I know that the Taoiseach and the Government share our and our party's abhorrence at the callous and shocking murder of police constable Ronan Kerr. In that context, will the Taoiseach agree that the perpetrators of such evil actions have no place in a civilised society and must be challenged and confronted at every opportunity?

In the aftermath of such an horrific murder it is important that a clear, united and unequivocal message be sent from this democratic Chamber that those responsible for this cowardly atrocity have no mandate and do not act in the name of the Irish people. The murder of Ronan Kerr is a direct assault on the peace process itself. No terrorist gang can be allowed to dictate to the Irish people or undermine our desire to live and share this island in harmony and friendship.

It is important that our national Parliament is seen to stand firmly and absolutely behind the peace process. It is for this reason that I ask if the Taoiseach would agree that it would be an apt response from this House that we pass an all-party agreed motion to make clear our abhorrence of this murder in Omagh. There is a precedent in this regard because in March 2009, following the murder of PSNI constable Stephen Carroll and two British soldiers, the Dáil passed such a motion. The murder of PSNI constable Ronan Kerr is no different to, and is equally repulsive as those which took place in 2009. I request that the motion to which I refer be taken following statements. Fianna Fáil has tabled a motion but would withdraw it in favour of a joint motion agreed by the Whips.

I agree that a motion in respect of which there would be unanimous agreement should be taken following statements. This matter was already discussed in the context of the parliamentary questions I answered earlier. There will be an opportunity for Members to make their views known during the statements that will be taken following the Order of Business. There is no reason we should not send out a strong, clear and unequivocal condemnation by way of a motion unanimously agreed by the House. As the Deputy indicated, this is not the first occasion on which we have been obliged to resort to taking such action.

I regret that Members are being asked to speak in a debate to which they would never have believed they would be obliged to contribute. It is important to bear in mind the psychology behind what happened. A meeting was held, a decision was made and an instruction was given to someone who took an oath to be a member of the cell, society or group responsible for what occurred at the weekend. That individual, perhaps in conjunction with others, was then sent to perpetrate this cowardly act and a young man's life ended as a result. It is a slur on the humanity of every person in this country that this should have happened. We condemn this act unreservedly. There is no one in the House who will not share that sentiment.

I agree with Deputy Martin that we should send out, by way of statement and agreed motion, a unanimous, unequivocal, strong and clear message that this kind of cowardice will not be tolerated and is condemned unreservedly by Dáil Éireann and by every Member elected thereto by the people.

I thank the Taoiseach and agree wholeheartedly with him. As stated during Question Time, the transformation of the police service in Northern Ireland is one of the outstanding legacies of the peace process. The changed relationship between the Garda Síochána and the PSNI has played a strong and central role in that transformation. Many gardaí who engage on a daily and weekly basis with their counterparts in the PSNI share people's horror and sadness with regard to what has occurred. The Minister for Justice and Equality articulated the position very well in that regard.

When one listens to certain commentators, it occasionally appears that there is some doubt with regard to the absolute and strong co-operation between — and the agenda shared by — the Garda Síochána and the PSNI in the context of tracking and apprehending the evil individuals who perpetrate crimes of this nature. Is the Taoiseach in a position to assure the House that the two forces will continue to work in a synergistic fashion to ensure that the peace and quality of life enjoyed by all citizens on this island will be protected?

I am in a position to provide such an assurance. As indicated on Question Time, I spoke to the First Minister, Mr. Peter Robinson MLA, and to the Deputy First Minister, Mr. Martin McGuinness, MLA. In addition, the Minister for Justice and Equality spoke to his counterpart in Northern Ireland, Mr. David Ford, MLA. I have also spoken to the British Prime Minister and pledged the Government's support for both the Northern Ireland Assembly and the British Government in the wake of this act of cowardice. I assure Deputy Martin that the level of co-operation between the Garda and the PSNI — both of which the Deputy and I support — is at an all-time high.

I received a security briefing yesterday from the Garda Commissioner. From his time in Government, the Deputy would have experience of such briefings. The Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade and the Minister for Justice and Equality also attended the briefing to which I refer. We were provided with an assurance that there is active and intense co-operation between the Garda and the PSNI and that this will continue. The resources necessary to underpin this high level of co-operation will be provided.

It is clear from what we heard at the briefing that in the past, lives have been saved and dastardly acts have been prevented. It is most tragic that in this instance a young man lost his life. The Garda Commissioner has confirmed that the co-operation and involvement between Garda Síochána and the PSNI is what the Deputy, I and everyone else would expect it to be, namely, of the highest calibre possible. There is no difficulty with regard to the transmission of information, where relevant, between the Garda and the PSNI. I hope that the intensity of the relationship between the two forces will ensure that the perpetrators of this murder, whomever they may be, will be brought to justice and punished accordingly.

Mar atá a fhios ag an Taoiseach, labhraíomar faoi dhúnmharú Rónán Kerr níos luaithe agus dúirt mé go seasann Sinn Féin leis an Rialtas agus go bhfuilimid uilig le teaghlach Rónán Kerr ag an uair bhrónach dheacair seo. Bhí mé sa Tuaisceart Dé Domhnaigh agus inné ag obair le Máirtín Mac Aonghusa agus daoine eile agus táimid go han-soiléir go bhfuil pobal na tíre in éadan an dhúnmharaithe sin.

It is appropriate that the Government has allocated time for a debate on the murder of Ronan Kerr. We discussed this matter earlier on Question Time. It is of the utmost importance that we should continue to make it clear that we stand in opposition to this murder and that we stand with the Kerr family. During the statements that will follow the Order of Business, we will have the opportunity to spell out our views in detail and to chart a way forward.

I wish to ask the Taoiseach about the ongoing economic situation. In the recent general election campaign, he clearly stated that the current EU-IMF bailout deal is bad for Ireland and bad for Europe, that the financial markets are closed to Ireland principally because investors are concerned that any further capital injections into the banks will sink the economy and that the bailout plan would not restore confidence in Ireland because at its heart is a commitment to continue the failed banking policies of the Fianna Fáil-Green Party Government. The Taoiseach made these comments only a few short weeks ago. However, he has taken every opportunity — in this Chamber, at meetings at European level and at various summits — to state that he is committed to the EU-IMF deal.

I do not understand what kind of negotiating position this represents. It strikes me as ridiculous for the Taoiseach to continually give away his negotiating position. Many individuals have informed me that it is totally unacceptable that he is doing the exact opposite to that to which he committed only a few short weeks ago. The Irish people are being obliged to pay for that. Will the Taoiseach explain this departure and will he throw some light on the Government's negotiating stance, le do thoil?

Aontaím gur chóir go mbeadh cáineadh an-láidir curtha amach ón Teach seo i leith dhúnmharú Rónán Kerr. Mar a dúirt mé, bhí mé ag caint lena mháthair, Nuala, inné agus táim fíor-bhuíoch di as ucht na crógachta agus as ucht an mhisnigh a léirigh sí sa chaoi a labhair sí amach faoi dhúnmharú a mic. Tá súil agam nuair a bheidh mé thuas amárach, in éineacht leis an Chéad-Aire agus an Leas-Chéad Aire agus Teachtaí eile ón Teach seo, gur comhartha láidir a bheidh ann ag éirí as an díospóireacht a bheidh againn inniu agus an rún a rithfear go hiomlán ar son gach Teachta sa Dáil seo.

It is not a case of changing our position. The actual position is that we have been dealing with six dysfunctional banks. We proceeded down a path of confusion and uncertainty for a long period and people became completely frustrated by the fact that the previous Government would not provide leadership or point the way towards a point where the country would be in charge of its economic destiny once again. That is why the Government last week made its decisions in respect of the banking sector. This brings clarity and certainty. We will now have two pillar banks which will be the bulwark of the future banking sector in Ireland. That is very clear and gives certainty. This is now recognised internationally and by independent commentators. The ECB, in its statement following the Government's decision about the banking sector, confirmed it will provide ongoing liquidity to the Irish banks, which is of extreme and fundamental importance for business and for confidence in Ireland.

We must rebuild our connections and contacts with our counterparts in Europe. The Tánaiste and all members of the Government will involve themselves in this important work. Our European colleagues understand how important it is, in a European sense, to show flexibility in the path Ireland must follow and will follow. The Deputy is aware that the EU-IMF mission starts today and will last until 15 April. Much of this will consist of technical discussion of the intricacies of the instruments. The Government will discuss elements of the programme for Government, such as the upcoming jobs initiative programme which will have an impact on the indigenous economy. It will stimulate investment and provide confidence so people who have been saving, because of their fear of future uncertainty, will have an opportunity to spend in the Irish economy to grow confidence and hope and provide jobs.