Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I have a couple of points. As Chairman of our committee, I was privileged to go with a deputation to Washington. We met Senator Chuck Schumer, who holds the position Senator Mitchell once held. Every door in the US and in Washington was open to us because of the connectivity between the Irish diaspora and all the political parties in Washington. I understand that if things change in the US in the week after next, the name McCarthy could be in that office, so we are very anxious to keep up our contacts with America. The American influence was exemplified by Senator Mitchell and President Clinton but we very much welcome the commentary from President Biden, who is clear on his support for the Good Friday Agreement. Even though the difficulties are not totally resolved between the two governments east and west, President Biden's support for the agreement has been important.

We cannot underestimate, and I think we are all of one voice here, the importance of Senator Mitchell's work, which is part of history and will always be there and will always be relied on. The Senator himself spoke of 700 days of failure and one day of success. All parliamentarians can attend this committee to engage with the unionist community, particularly their political representatives. It is important to pay tribute to the late David Trimble, who was key in bringing about the peace deal. Our biggest challenge is to engage in an appropriate way that is acceptable to unionism about the future of all of us together in some new formula or arrangement. I do not know if Senator Mitchell has any views on that. I just feel it is important I pay tribute to David Trimble and to point out the steps we collectively have to make to finish the task you all started.