Niall Blaney (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

There is some really good content in the debate. Mr. Brady and Lord Alderdice hit the nail on the head in terms of discussing the issues of the day, such as education and the health service. That is why the work of the shared island unit, led by the Taoiseach, is critically important. That is not recognised by all across the political spectrum or given the credence I feel it should be. What is happening is the necessary preparation if we are going to sit down and talk about our shared future. We need to know the differences in the education systems and health services North and South. People in Northern Ireland hold dearly the current concept of their health service in Northern Ireland. We need to compare outcomes.

The economy, farming and agriculture were also mentioned. The work of the shared island unit is about getting an understanding of the differences, which is vital preparation. If the protocol is off the table, we hope that one day we will get a UK Government that has a more open approach and will sit down and take an interest in and discuss these issues.

The one organisation across these islands that is getting quite a bit of focus at the moment is Ireland's Future. The organisation has come before the committee and I have been critical of it because I feel the work it is doing could be more fruitful if it merged some of the work with the shared island unit.

The shared dialogue series is the only vehicle that is going into unionist communities. The more organisations such as Ireland's Future keep talking up a united Ireland, the greater the possibility that we push unionists further away. That is the fear I have. I am not sure what people expect the outcome to be when we speak at unionists rather than sit down with them. I am not just saying this for myself. I hear strong views when I meet unionist politicians and the community throughout Northern Ireland. I also hear it from some nationalists. What is the opinion of Lord Alderdice on the work of the shared island unit and organisations such as Ireland's Future? Could they play a greater role? If so, what does he think this role could and should be?