Gerry Horkan (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The witnesses sat down for their contributions and I might do the same. We are in committee so it is a little bit less formal.

I welcome the witnesses and thank them for being here. It is important. Probably 30 or 40 years ago, the idea of people like them being in the Seanad Chamber would be unheard of; maybe even ten years ago it would have been unheard of. It is great to see them here. I grew up in south Dublin. My next-door neighbour was a member of the Presbyterian Church. My neighbour across the road was a Methodist in charge of minding the Methodist building in Ballinteer for many years. I think Taney is the largest Church of Ireland parish by numbers in the country. I am friendly with many people of the witnesses' persuasion and communities.

The witnesses are all people of faith, with belief and Christian background, values and so on. How do they reach out in their communities to people not as committed to or interested in peace or reconciliation? How do we convince those people there is value in it? While the Rev. Dr. Hamilton made the point that the Good Friday Agreement has failed in certain ways, we are not where we were 25 years ago in terms of the level of active violence, Border checkpoints, guns all over the place, bombs on a frequent basis and attacks. We have come a long way but have a long way to go. I think that was his point. How do we get people who are more entrenched, less forgiving and less interested in reconciliation into the system?

What do the witnesses think of the Taoiseach's view of not so much a united Ireland but a shared island and his shared island initiative? Where do they think it can go and what else can it do? I think the phraseology is important and I would like to hear the witnesses' thoughts on that, but equally so is the intent. It is not that we are trying to get to 50% plus 1 or whatever. We are all on a journey together, wherever it ends up. I take the point about not having a predetermined outcome but we should all work together towards a better island.