Emer Currie (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Everything the witnesses said is still percolating in my head. Today is about listening and it is very important for us to listen to them. I am struck by what Professor Shirlow said about how he is engaging with the conversation. He is here and unionists are engaging with this. At the same time, reading what he wrote, it pointed out all of the reasons it should not be happening. There are many reasons in there as to why we do not need to have the conversation. At the same time, Mr. Moore said a clear position has not been laid out. We are here because we want to hear from the witnesses and engage on their terms, whatever those terms are, just as long as they are using their voice and we can hear it. It does not mean they have to agree. The other option is just as valid, whatever way they vote. Both sides of the argument are just as important. I hope that if they feel that way, they would be developing their own position for us to ask questions about as well.

I have always agreed that the Good Friday Agreement is not all doom and gloom. We have achieved so much. I heard what the witnesses said about sectarian violence. I have made the point that it has decreased so much and things are much better than they were 25 years ago. I do not subscribe to the idea that either the North or South is a failed state. That is not what this is about. It is important to hear from the witnesses on which terms they want to engage in this. How do they want us to conduct this conversation in a respectful way?