Jennifer Carroll MacNeill (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I was struck by Mr. McCord's opening statement. It is one of the most honest, direct, succinct statements ever to this committee. I could engage with Mr. McCord on every sentence of it but it would take a lengthy time. Like Senator Currie, I condemn murders on all sides, all violence, all failure to apologise and atone for that and all commemorations or celebrations of any kind of the people who committed those acts. The Good Friday Agreement, in my view, is entirely about building mutual trust and reconciliation and understanding. That can only be done with victims very much at the centre. Mr. McCord asked that the committee hear the concerns of Trust and Justice Movement with regard to the Good Friday Agreement, which has not worked for victims. I am even more concerned than I was. Like Senator Currie, I would like to know more about that.

On the point with regard to funding, I do not live in Belfast but I have been travelling to and from Belfast for more than 20 years, which is a reasonable timeframe over which to observe the development of the area since the Good Friday Agreement was agreed, especially as an outsider. I am aware of how much funding has been provided by different sources, including European sources, national sources, local sources and outside sources, but I do not see the commensurate development of the communities in the way that I would have expected in terms of on the ground facilities. I do not wish to be rude in any way in saying that.