Erin McGreehan (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Chairman very much. I also thank each of the contributors for their opening statements. This is a very interesting debate. I am in learning mode here because we are creating new institutions or new frameworks for institutions, which is very exciting. This is a very worthwhile conversation.

Professor Tonge stated that Scotland has more autonomy and devolved functions. Is the lack of additional autonomy, structures and powers crippling the Northern Ireland Assembly? At present, one party might go to the UK Government on a particular issue and another party will do the same thing in respect of a different issue. We saw that very recently with the Irish language Act, where those big problems are solved by outside bodies. Is it the case that more autonomy is needed in order for people to be able to act and react and to get away from an us-versus-them mentality whereby those occupying the middle ground are left out and their voices are not heard?