Ms ?rfhlaith Begley:

I thank Mr. Ahern for all the work he has done over many years. My generation, in particular, has benefited greatly from the Good Friday Agreement and the peace process over those intervening years.

I wish to focus on North-South co-operation. I know this issue was considered at the time and that there have been conversations about northern representation in the Oireachtas. I would like to hear Mr. Ahern's views. In hindsight, does he feel that more consideration should have been given to allowing MPs or MLAs to sit in the Oireachtas or contribute to these Houses?

As a follow-up point, picking up on the constitutional conversation, there is growing momentum and growing support in that regard, and we see that opinion poll after opinion poll shows that support is moving in the direction of a unity referendum and that support is growing for such a referendum. I want to hear Mr. Ahern's views. I read an article in which he stated that the 30th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement may be a possible time for a referendum. Is that still his opinion? Does he still see that date as a possible date for a referendum?