Niall Blaney (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Acting Chairman. Both Mr. Montgomery and Mr. Donoghue are most welcome today. This is a fascinating series for many of us. Many of us feel that this is particularly important work given the background that they themselves have explained in relation to the Good Friday Agreement, and for us to discover how it came about because many of us would like to see this island united as a people and moving on, the economy moving on, education, jobs, etc., and the island working as one. It is important that we learn lessons and understand what happened in the past to get to the point of the Good Friday Agreement. That is why this work, and their testimony in that regard, is important.

I thank Mr. Montgomery and Mr. Donoghue for the evidence they have given. Some of it has raised a number of questions. Maybe, at the outset, I will ask Mr. Montgomery about the statement he made in relation to David Trimble. Even Mr. Tim O'Connor referenced last week the likes of David Trimble, and, by extension, John Hume and Seamus Mallon, who to a certain degree sacrificed themselves and possibly their political positions for the prize of peace, but in the statement Mr. Montgomery made, he referenced Bertie Ahern. Could Mr. Montgomery clarify what he said about Bertie Ahern, who, at that stage, was tight for numbers? With the arithmetic in Dáil Éireann then, Mr. Ahern only had cover of two. He was dependent on Independents at the time, two of them Border representatives. Could Mr. Montgomery clarify that point?

In finding out who was the real driver in the process, this probably relates to the two Governments. Who was the real interested party here? Who was pushing these negotiations? Was the British Government really up for this? Was it driving this or was it going along with it? I would be interested in their thoughts on that.

There would be much talk nowadays that some of the activity along the Border that probably should not be going on, such as fuel laundering, were issues that were part of the negotiation of the Good Friday Agreement. Was that part of the talks that went on? Was allowing some of these illegal activities that go on even today part of the agreement and if it was, can they give us more detail in relation to it?

Also, did letters for what were termed "on-the-runs" form part of negotiations, and will they give detail on that?

What would be the best approach to creating the best possible landing zone and space for constitutional change to happen? There is lots of debate about calling a border poll. We saw how hard it was to win the Good Friday Agreement and we see how difficult Brexit has been, as has dealing with the protocol. What are the witnesses' views? Some would be of the view that we should hold a citizens' assembly, call a border poll and get on with it. What is their view on that? In my view, it is far too simplistic in respect of the issues and all the parties involved, but I would like to know their opinions on it.

The question about members of political parties sacrificing their careers has been answered. Mr. Montgomery mentioned that the DUP MLAs were part of the majority that was against the Good Friday Agreement following its acceptance.