Brian Stanley (Laois-Offaly, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I acknowledge the thoughtful comments of members. There is obviously a range of views among members who are coming to this matter in a thoughtful way. I clarify that my actions are my own. I take full responsibility for them. I was wrong. I have apologised, and I am saying that sincerely. Nobody else needs to take any responsibility. I am solely responsible for my actions and I have to take responsibility for them.

I am conscious of what the members have said on this matter. My commitment in the time ahead, through my words and actions, is to have the confidence of members, as Chairman, as we deal with the important work ahead.

A number of members mentioned the decade of commemorations. We are in that decade now and there are a few difficult years to go through because there are difficult issues. The lesson for me and all of us is that during that period we need to be very careful and continue to build reconciliation on the island of Ireland. That is my commitment.