Trevor Ó Clochartaigh (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

He would say that peace can be built out of conflict and that this needs to be done. We need a similar process to that associated with the truth and reconciliation process in South Africa. It is important to consider what Madiba would say to us in Ireland today and what guidance he would give to us as politicians dealing with injustices that are happening. It is good to remember the wonderful example of the Dunnes Stores workers but my recollection of their three years of protest is that they did not receive full support from across the political spectrum in their fight. However, they won eventually.

A number of issues need to be raised today that we should be considering. For example, we must ask whether there is a need for the Government to consider an embargo similar to the Dunnes Stores workers' embargo on goods from the occupied territories in Palestine. Is there too much racism on our island in the form of statements directed at and actions taken against Travellers, the Roma community and other ethnic minorities?

Today is International Human Rights Day. The Irish Refugee Council launched an important report on direct provision this morning called "Direct Provision: Framing an alternative reception system for people seeking international protection". It is scandalous that there are still people in direct provision who have come here looking for asylum from their home countries. Many of them have fled from terrible circumstances. We are actually putting them up in appalling conditions, which have been criticised by eminent figures. Former Ombudsman Emily O'Reilly has been highly critical of the lack of independent oversight of the system and has stated that the treatment of asylum seekers may well breach international human rights conventions. Retired Supreme Court judge Mrs. Justice Catherine McGuinness has warned that a future Irish Government could have to issue a State apology to and compensate former residents, particularly children. As long as such events are occurring on our watch on this island, we cannot say we are honouring the memory of Madiba, an extraordinary man. He would be asking us to live up to our human rights obligations, particularly regarding the refugee convention and the EU directive on reception conditions.

We must all agree that Nelson Mandela was a very inspirational figure. However, we should not try to be too selective in analysing his legacy. He came from a very challenging set of circumstances. He came through those circumstances to be a great peacemaker. It is incumbent on all of us to take inspiration from him to work for peace, human rights, fairness and equality and to provide a complete and true republic for people to live in. I noted Senator Mooney's comments on an all-Ireland football team. I would like to see a day on which we could work towards a united Ireland in which everybody on the island is treated equally and fairly, irrespective of religion, background, colour or race.

Ba iontach go deo an duine é Madiba. When he was interviewed on coming out of prison, he was asked about having to sit down with F. W. de Klerk to work towards a compromise in order to try to overcome the apartheid regime and whether he had not felt this was impossible. His answer was that if the people talking about compromise came to the table with an open mind looking for a compromise, anything would be possible. That is true of the circumstances I have mentioned.

Tá mé buíoch as an deis ráiteas a dhéanamh ar an ábhar iontach tábhachtach seo. Ba iontach go deo an inspioráid é Mandela. Mairfidh sé go deo inár gcuimhne agus i gcuimhne na ndaoine. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam.