---

Northern Ireland

I know that the right hon. Gentleman takes a very close interest in security matters in Northern Ireland. I wish to reassure him that we will ensure that everybody engaged in protecting the public in Northern Ireland has the equipment that they need. However, it may be appropriate for me to say that, in relation to the attack on Saturday night, there is no suggestion that had the equipment been any different it would have made any difference whatsoever. Those who were determined to murder on Saturday night came there to murder—to execute—the people at the Army base, and they drew no distinction between off-duty soldiers and civilians, as we know from the attacks on those who were delivering the pizzas. I immediately had contact with the United States on Saturday evening. We immediately saw expressions of support from Senator Clinton and from President Obama, and from the Senate and Congress. Indeed, I refer the right hon. Gentleman to the statement by Congressman Richie Neal, which is a very fine statement of condemnation that precisely records the fact that across America this is felt to be an evil act.