Erin McGreehan (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

All of us were sceptical because we did not think it was possible.

The sceptics were there. We were all there. Mr. Ahern mentioned in his opening statement the remobilisation of the youth and trying to get them back on board. In Ireland, we never like to take up awkward conversations and always let things go. However, I think we have now let things go a little too far. We need to ensure our youth remobilise behind the Good Friday Agreement in the same way that I, as a 16-year-old girl, was behind the Good Friday Agreement. Over 90% of those in the Republic of Ireland who voted were in favour of the agreement. What is Mr. Ahern's opinion on that?

I was glad to hear Mr. Ahern mention the ongoing research because it is the only game in town in respect of how we bring the two states together to ensure we have the necessary police force, courts, education and health systems. Much work has been done. Mr. Ahern was right in what he said about the shared island unit. The Economic and Social Research Institute, ESRI; the National Economic and Social Council, NESC; and many other organisations and universities are being funded through the shared island unit by the State to do research. I am a big fan of that.

One problem that Mr. Ahern also mentioned in his speech is that we have failed to implement all aspects of the Good Friday Agreement. That is one of the sad points, 25 years later. I have a problem with people who other the North. People say the North needs to do this and that. They say that the Governments in Dublin and Westminster need to come in and do something. There is a great and growing independence of thought. There are still shortfalls in Northern Ireland. There is not an integrated education system or integrated communities. How can we support that from Dublin, for want of a better description, but not in such a way as to other Northern Ireland? We need Northern Ireland to come together in the conversation, for example through a citizens' assembly in Northern Ireland. We cannot dictate; we can only support. The 100-person citizens' assembly that Mr. Ahern mentioned earlier might say it would love reunification of the island - that all being well and good, it would be lovely. All of those on my side of the House would love that reunification. However, that is no good unless everyone in the North comes together. I would like to hear Mr. Ahern's thoughts on that point.