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Northern Ireland (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill

I trust that the hon. Gentleman knows that I share his concern and condemnation. I also know that the bomb threats that occurred in the constituencies of my hon. Friend the Member for Foyle and the hon. Member for Upper Bann (David Simpson) were real and serious threats from dissident republicans. Again, to put the point into context in relation to the amendments, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State was indicating that the republican movement has taken steps towards a more peaceful road. There is still work to be done, but there is clear intent and clear movement. The Secretary of State issued a challenge, with the words that the right hon. Member for North Antrim read to the House, to the dissident republican movement and the loyalist movement to take the same path."Mr. Peter Robinson: The quotation that my right hon. Friend the Member for North Antrim (Rev. Ian Paisley) put on the record went beyond that. Does the Minister agree with the Secretary of State in his indication that Sinn Fein is now in a stronger position to be in an Executive than the Ulster Unionist party?"