Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

What has shined from Mr. Montgomery's evidence, and Mr. O'Connor's last week, is the total commitment to and sterling work on behalf of peace on this island. It is matched by that of those civil servants and politicians, but particularly civil servants, who were driving the agenda in their own bailiwicks in the North and London. I wish we could get back to the consensus Mr. Montgomery referred to. The leaders of both Governments worked hand in hand, and we need to try to get back to that to bring the case forward. It is sad that those who took the biggest risk, and their parties, were very damaged in the end by the political fallout. That is something to reflect on too. If future players have to make a new agreement, this must loom large in their minds. The sensitivity and relationship needed, particularly between unionism and nationalism and the North and South, are becoming more important as we move towards what I believe will inevitably be a border poll, with all its associated trauma and problems. There is a need to prepare, have as much consent as possible and build on the shared island initiative.

We will move on. Mr. Mickey Brady of Sinn Féin will be first, with 15 minutes, followed by Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael, the SDLP, the Alliance Party, the Green Party, Sinn Féin, the Labour Party, the Independents and Aontú.