Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Like the other contributors, I welcome Lord Alderdice to the committee and compliment him on his work over the years in different roles both in Stormont and Westminster. On the final point that Senator Blaney made and Lord Alderdice responded to regarding legacy issues, the British Government has united all political parties in Northern Ireland, as well as all civic groups and all public opinion in our State as well - on its absolutely deplorable proposals that step back to the worst possible days. One would expect better from a parliamentary democracy than to come up with a system that would literally give some people the right to grant themselves immunity for horrific deeds, whether they were paramilitaries or state forces. It is absolutely reprehensible.

Lord Alderdice mentioned trauma being trans- or inter-generational. We had a very good engagement with the WAVE Trauma Centre and that was the point the made to us all regarding the second and third generations where there has been no justice. For example, the other day Oliver McVeigh commenting on the search under way in Bragan Bog in County Monaghan for his late brother, Columba, made the point that they are not just out for vengeance but they are out to get a body restored and have a Christian burial. Those types of comments and those people show great grace and dignity in dealing with difficult situations.

In every parliamentary democracy, the system has its defects and faults - our own does too. Since the Brexit debate started, even before the referendum in 2016, both Houses of the Oireachtas and all of the committees devoted enormous time to working on the Brexit issue. We had engagement every day of the week with parliamentarians from Britain and other countries in Europe who wanted to hear our viewpoints on Brexit and the difficulties it would cause if Britain exited the EU. Our parliamentary democracy, including the Dáil and Seanad, worked well in that respect in support of the Government. In that debate, there was never antagonism from the Irish side towards the British side. We were outlining our concerns very cogently and quite rightly and those concerns have come to pass. It is very important in that respect. Of course, many parliamentarians from Westminster shared the same view as us.

Ms Gildernew mentioned the lack of a civic forum. That was within the competence of Stormont, to my recollection. I recall speaking to some of the people who participated in the short-lived one, from trade unions and other civic bodies, who found the workings of it very beneficial. It is a shame it has not been re-established in a different format to give civic society additional voices apart from the political representation they have.

With regard to winning support for the political institutions and politics in general, is a greater focus needed from both Stormont and Westminster on trying to improve the lot of many people in the disadvantaged communities. If we are to put an end to all types of violence, we need to ensure that people have the opportunity to get a good education, training and skills and go on to gain full employment. That is the best way to engage people in a democracy and in the political process. I thank Lord Alderdice.