Emer Currie (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

What is reconciliation? I put that question to four MLAs at the British-Irish Parliamentary Assembly because we do not have an agreed version or vision of reconciliation. As time goes on, reconciliation is becoming different things to different people. I agree that it would be hugely valuable to have a wider discussion about what reconciliation is and where we want to get to. I also agree that would set the tone for wider conversations. We cannot say that until we have a reconciled society we cannot discuss what a united Ireland, a new Ireland or a shared Ireland looks like. The two things are weaved together. For me, a new Ireland is based on what Reverend Foster has said and if it looks like somebody is defeated, it will not be a new Ireland. Reconciliation is the essence of a shared society. Our guests have talked about empathy and by framing this discussion in empathy, we are able to move it away from a rose-tinted version of what a united Ireland looks like. We are able to move the discussion away from a romantic view and into the reality.

I agree that the glorification of violence does not aid reconciliation but opens wounds. How realistic is it to expect that the parties doing that will stop and will see the bigger picture? We have the legacy Bill, which is an opportunity because all of the parties are united in their rejection of the proposals therein. However, they are not united on the need to leave behind revisionism and the glorification of terrorism. How do our guests feel about that?