Frank Feighan (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The delegates are very welcome. The committee wants to be helpful and we are anxious to hear their concerns. We have already had discussions in the committee on the criminal record issue which is affecting people who, for instance, apply for a taxi licence, house insurance and so on. It is an issue that needs to be addressed.

The issue of historical crime is causing a great deal of concern at this time. We have spoken about this issue with Marian Price and, on the other side of the divide, Bobby Rodgers. What is the delegates' view on how we can seek to address the issue?

Reconciliation and commemoration issues are important and of concern to the committee. It is important to remind ourselves that this is a powerful committee which can access areas not easily accessible to others. It is a stark reality that in the past two years no representative of the Unionist or loyalist parties has attended a meeting of the committee. Members of Sinn Féin and the SDLP have come down and articulated their case, but we have not heard the argument from the other side. The message must go out that we are anxious to hear from the Alliance Party, the UUP and the DUP. That engagement is happening via other channels, but these voices need to be heard at the committee.