Reverend Karen Sethuraman:

I thank the Sinn Féin representatives for their welcome and their words. I want to say a couple of things in terms of the Irish Government. First, I thank all the politicians. It is not easy being in the political world in our context, but wherever they stand politically I think most people recognise that they work hard and we hear their heart and vision in that in terms of Ireland's future. What I would simply say is that they should keep doing that and keep connected to their communities. The beauty of a citizens' assembly is that it comes from the grassroots and it comes up. This will complement the work of the politicians because it gives the opportunity to be able to inform them and to give information back and to help the politicians shape matters, and if the day comes when we have a border poll that the politicians then run with that. It complements the work the politicians are already doing but it brings in people's voices.

I think Mr. Finucane referred to our precious unionist community. More than anything, it is important to say that the beautiful thing about a citizens' forum or assembly is that there is room at the table for everyone and it is important that we keep extending that hand of welcome. It is important that we do that right across our communities. I commend the Government. I thank it so much for last night, for the recognition that this planning and preparation needs to start for the citizens' assembly. I ask the Irish Government and our politicians to continue to the next step of that and to work towards that. The folks that I work with really want to begin to cast vision and dream and just consider if there is something better out there for us.