Mark Wall (Labour) | Oireachtas source

I thank all 16 contributors. As I said at the start, this is very much a listening exercise for us. When I agreed to be part of this committee, we were told that there would be a report at the end of it but all reports are only as good as the people that participate in their making. Today has been a great start for us in that sense and the next couple of sessions promise to be very good. The message we would like to send is that we want this report to be inclusive. We want all voices to be heard. We want all traditions and those of no tradition to be part of the report. That is the message that we want to send out today. We need everybody to contribute. We are using the power of the Seanad to ensure that preparation - the one word that has been repeated again and again today - starts for what this island will look like in ten, 15, 20 or 50 years' time.

I have listened to many of the contributors talking about winning the consent of both traditions and how important that is, as well as how important it is to listen. That is the most important thing that we, as a committee, can do. Seamus's story - and so many stories like it - is brilliant. It is about the helping hand that we have had from each side of the divide. I have heard so many stories like that over the years. Seamus's story has brought that home to us again. We need to tell that story again. Nobody needs to be afraid. There is a helping hand for everyone. That is what the Irish people do well. We do well in giving a helping hand. That is what this committee is about. That is what we are trying to do here, in terms of listening and preparing a report.

I did not come in earlier when Campbell mentioned religious influence. Emma spoke about it too. Campbell had not met anyone from a different religion until he was 16 years of age. That needs to change, and change quickly. Many parties and individuals are talking about such change but it will require momentum from us all and from all political institutions on this island. We need to have that conversation quickly. That is a very important point that I have noted today.

I thank the Cathaoirleach for facilitating this meeting. It has been a great start and bodes well for where we need to go. We are going to prepare a report and we hope that report will be influential but most importantly, inclusive.