Northern Ireland
Dail Éireann — 2026-10-01
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Helen McEntee (FG), Meath East

I agree with the comments of the Taoiseach this week. The PSNI has dealt with a very difficult situation this week and has been doing a very good job. I met the chief constable and others not long ago. We spoke about the challenges that remain in Northern Ireland with the PSNI and different communities, how we can bring people together and how the PSNI can be more representative of both communities. There are many different challenges. This week Jon Boutcher and the community in the PSNI have done a very good job in what has been a very difficult circumstance.
I am in constant engagement with the Secretary of State and parties in the North. I travelled to the North. I am also conscious of the role that we as a Government have specifically in regard to parades, and the wider commitment and role we play in peace, security and power-sharing in Northern Ireland. We are working with all sides to try to make sure this issue can be resolved. Beyond that, we need to determine how we support the communities because support will be needed irrespective of what the agreement is or what process is put in place to move forward. I am already engaging with my colleagues and my colleagues in the North on that.

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Record URI: https://data.oireachtas.ie/akn/ie/debateRecord/dail/2026-10-01/debate/main
Retrieved: 2026-10-05T01:01:00+00:00
Sitting date: 2026-10-01