THE DÁIL will today debate an all-party motion condemning the Northern Ireland murders.

The suggestion was made yesterday by Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny.

Agreeing, Taoiseach Brian Cowen said that such a motion would “make clear the view of this Dáil of our repugnance at the attempt by any self-appointed people who claim to speak on behalf of the Irish people”.

They had no right to do so, the Taoiseach added. “These are dastardly deeds, cowardly acts, wanton murder of three individuals, and serious injury to others who continue to, hopefully, recover . . .” The House should make it clear, said Mr Cowen, at home and abroad, that the peace process belonged to the people of Ireland and would not be undermined by anyone in the country seeking to speak in their name.

Mr Cowen said the Garda was in close contact with the PSNI, and the Garda Commissioner and Chief Constable would meet tomorrow.

“We have been very conscious of the threat posed by dissidents and that is why, despite the political progress in the North, the gardaí have continued to deploy extensive resources targeting their activities.” Mr Cowen said the Government had retained the “full legislative armoury” for dealing with terrorist groups.

“The harsh reality is that it takes only a small group of people with limited resources to cause this kind of carnage.” Mr Cowen said he received regular security briefings.

Mr Kenny said the all-party motion would send a very clear message from the Dáil of the support of all its members in condemning the murders. The House would “not be trampled upon by people of twisted minds and evil deeds”.

He said that when Mr Cowen travelled to the United States next week, he could carry with him a very strong and clear mandate in respect of the Dáil’s attitude towards violence.

Mr Kenny said he was sure that all members of the House would share his sense of revulsion at “cowardly deeds” on the basis of a return to an armed struggle, when the majority of people, North and South, had voted for a peace process.

“The persons who carried out these murders have no mandate for their actions, and they openly defied the expressed will of the people of Ireland, North and South, to leave violence in the past and live together in peace.

“And in doing what they did, they attempted to subvert the democratic process itself . . . and this cannot, and will not, be tolerated.”

Labour leader Eamon Gilmore said that the attacks were aimed at undermining the democratic institutions established in Northern Ireland.

“It was an unpatriotic act. This country, North and South, faces enormous difficulties of an economic nature.” It was important, said Mr Gilmore, that the matter be dealt with quickly at a security level, in the Republic and the North.

Mr Cowen said Minister for Foreign Affairs Micheál Martin and Minister for Justice Dermot Ahern were visiting Northern Ireland and would be available today to brief Opposition leaders or spokesmen on the security issues.