Carol Nolan (Laois-Offaly, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the opportunity to reflect briefly on the Good Friday Agreement. I will also take this opportunity to commend the work of the Joint Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement, which has done some interesting work in this area. It is particularly worth highlighting the committee's report and its assessment of the legacy of the Troubles on victims. The committee has noted that in most of its sessions, it sought the views of witnesses and spoke about the treatment of victims. Members also expressed grave concern about the United Kingdom's Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Bill. As I understand it, this Bill would allow the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland to grant immunity in certain circumstances for crimes committed during the Troubles. The Bill is opposed by all political parties in Ireland and Northern Ireland as well as all major victims' advocacy groups. This highlights that the work of the Good Friday Agreement, even on its 25th anniversary, is far from complete. I and my colleagues in the Rural Independent Group have often highlighted the delays in bringing justice to the victims of the Omagh bombing. The wheels of justice turn slowly for victims and that is something we must address going forward.

Collaboration and a spirit of friendship between our two islands is hugely important and is far too precious to be subjected to the kind of political game-playing we have seen in recent years in respect of the failure of power sharing. We must continue to do all we can to strengthen cross-Border structures. Each part of our island can benefit from the ingenuity and skills of the other. As a republican, I look forward to the day when our country is whole and entire once again, as long as that is backed by and happens through democratic means that respect all traditions.

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