Alan Kelly (Tipperary North, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I am delighted to be present for the debate. When the people of the island of Ireland voted to approve the Good Friday Agreement 15 years ago they were hopeful of a future free of the violence and division which had scarred Northern Ireland for the previous 30 years. They believed that peace was possible and they wanted to see it become reality. In many ways, their wish has come true. Northern Ireland today is a place where all traditions take their seat in government, where Ireland North and South work together to develop a prosperous all-island economy, and where sectarian violence is no longer a feature of everyday life. It is important that we reflect on all the positives that have come out of the peace process, and that we recognise how far we have come in those 15 years but, most importantly, that we concentrate on cementing a lasting peace.

The Tánaiste spoke yesterday of the impact the Agreement has had and the great progress that has been achieved. That is certainly the case. I commend all those involved.

The relationship between North and South and between Ireland and Britain has never been stronger. These strong relationships have seen great benefit for the people of this island and the Government will continue to make them a priority. I commend the work of Deputy Joe McHugh, as Chairman, and his colleagues on the Joint Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement.

More than 15 years on, most of the provisions of the Good Friday Agreement have been implemented, but there are some still outstanding issues. It is still a work in progress. There is great scope for further expansion of North-South co-operation to develop a stronger economy for the whole island. Current economic challenges should stimulate discussion on cost-saving and cost-sharing measures, as well as initiatives to encourage investment. We do have friends, though, and I hope that my colleagues on the other side of the House accept that we have friends outside of Ireland, particularly in the United States of America. Serious work has been done by the United States in recent times to help in the implementation of the provisions of the Good Friday Agreement. In that context, I am delighted that President Obama will visit Belfast before attending the G8 summit in Fermanagh.

As we have heard often in this debate, there remain great challenges to developing a fully reconciled and shared society in Northern Ireland. Parades and flags still have the ability to cause division, tied up closely as they are with identity. The custody and treatment of particular prisoners, an issue which has also come under scrutiny in this debate, is also a source of concern. At the heart of all these issues is the question of rights, reminding us that a Bill of Rights for Northern Ireland is an important provision yet to be fulfilled.

The fifteenth anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement has provided an opportunity to take stock of where we are. Northern Ireland is, in many ways, an entirely different place from 15 years ago but there are shadows of the old sectarianism which still cause instability. We hear about such shadows frequently - too frequently. We must continue to work with the British Government, the Assembly and the people of Northern Ireland to build a future where peace is secure and where division is a distant memory. It is useful to reflect on the past but we must really be thinking of the next 15 years and where we want to be by then.

I hope the Government motion can find agreement from all. It makes a number of important amendments to the motion tabled by Sinn Féin. First, it acknowledges the enormous progress which has been achieved over the last 15 years in Northern Ireland. The political institutions of the Agreement are very firmly in place. Second, it reflects the very particular responsibility of the Northern Ireland Executive and those in leadership positions in the Executive to play their part in ensuring full implementation of the Agreement and in tackling sectarianism and segregation. The Government has long since tabled proposals for a North-South consultative forum, sought an early and thorough review on North-South co-operation and tabled specific proposals to eliminate duplication and improve service provision with reduced resources. A response is awaited on each of these. Third, the Government motion reflects the deep and continuous commitment of this Government to implementing and developing the peace process and also to uniting in harmony and friendship all the people who share this island, in all their identities and traditions. Fourth, it gives due importance to the principle of consent with regard to the constitutional status of Northern Ireland. Finally, it more fully reflects some of the un-implemented aspects of the Agreement, including a Bill of Rights for Northern Ireland, an Irish language Act and a civic forum.

On a personal level, as a student of Irish history, I remember the bad old days as well as everyone else in this House. I remember how Northern Ireland was when I was growing up. It had a deep impact on me and affected the way in which I thought about every single thing I did. In my role as a Government Minister it has given me great pleasure, while taking part in various official engagements across the Border in Northern Ireland, to see the wealth of growth and friendship there and the way in which attitudes have changed. I had the pleasure of being the first Irish Minister to lay a wreath at the Cenotaph recognising those who died at the Battle of the Somme. I really appreciated that moment and enjoyed doing it.

On that note, I commend the amendment put forward by the Government and hope that all parties will continue to work with this and future Governments on this issue, which is absolutely critical, not just for one political party or political philosophy, but for each and every one of us.

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