Victor Boyhan (Independent) | Oireachtas source

It was interesting to watch the monitor outside and hear the responses on identity from the panel at the front and then to listen to the different sense of dialogue because it is a lived experience. I was especially taken by the contributions of the second group. I will touch on the significance, importance and strength of identity in the greater debate. It is very important and it reoccurs in all of the submissions we have received. It is a simple word but it is powerful and it means different things to different people. I know we have all talked about identity with regard to inclusivity, equality and all of those issues, which is great. It is a common denominator with most young people of the witnesses' generation. That is positive and we very much promote it in this House. However, what does identity really mean to the witnesses as people from Northern Ireland? Is it an obstacle in embracing something bigger and more powerful with regard to unity?