Vincent P Martin (Green Party) | Oireachtas source

Like the previous Senators, I thank all of the participants from the bottom of my heart for their wonderful contributions. Ms Anderson is brave, courageous, and so articulate. Probably the most difficult question for Ms Anderson is "How do we get more Blairs on the front line of Irish life and society?" I would like that. How can we facilitate more Blairs?

I loved Mr. Taylor's contribution. He said that he can embrace his own culture and that he has no insecurities in that regard. In a way, this is a trailblazer. I believe that we have learned so much this morning. We are enriched and privileged to hear these contributions.

I recently heard an Iranian lady, whose children are adults now, commenting on the current unrest there. She said that she has great confidence in the young generation and that it was bubbling up also with the parents. In a sense, subconsciously the children are saying "No more of that." They have learned from the lived experiences of the previous generation. It is now the very young women who are leading on the front line and the barricades in Iran today. It is quite incredible how they are putting their lives in danger.

I took a lot from Mr. Taylor's speech. He made a very good point about how we must solemnly commemorate, and that there is a big difference between "commemorate" and "celebrate". Let us forget for a moment what the end picture is. Whatever the end picture is a prerequisite is reconciliation. I am deeply concerned if people lose their lives. It is very sad and we must give people space to commemorate. If that crosses the line to "celebrate", it could be perceived as glorifying slaughter. It could do huge damage to reconciliation because the immediate family or siblings of the people who have died are with us and alive. Maybe we all have to step up, including politicians and others in such positions, to try to call that out, whatever tradition it comes from.

I loved the phrase used by Mr. Quigley on the "tribal attitude that will kill the dream of unification." I hope that all of the participants here go into politics. It is a tough business. I would love them to be in the Green Party.