Martin Ferris (Kerry North-West Limerick, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I thank the group for its presentation. I believe that where Smashing Times misses out is the areas of Acting for Peace and Acting for the Future. In Acting for the Future, the group must show the reasons there is conflict, why sectarianism exists and continues to exist and why social, political and economic inequality are a contributing factor. It must also be shown that the fact there is not a more integrated educational process is a contributory factor.

There is rampant sectarianism in the Six Counties and, equally, there is a growing problem with racism. Even today a number of people are being charged for killing a Chinese man, for whatever reason. In regard to racism, one has only to look at the events of the past week, the killing by Boko Haram of 2,000 black people, who were badly treated, and those who were killed in Paris, which was also disgraceful.

I commend the representatives on the work they are doing. In order to achieve the aims of Acting for the Future, one has to reach young people. Are the representatives going into cross-community schools in the Six Counties and in the Border region, including south of the Border? With what age group are the representatives dealing? It strikes me that the younger one can influence children in terms of Acting for the Future, the better. They have said that much of their work is in the more economically deprived areas, where there is probably more sectarianism. Have they challenged the role of the structured perpetuity of sectarianism by the State? The role of the State is significant in terms of reconciliation, peace and so forth. In order to achieve what we want to achieve, we must identify the mistakes of the past. The witnesses mentioned that part of it is challenging the role of parliamentarians, but they must also challenge the role of the State. I would like to hear whether they have done so.