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

The question of reconciliation is the key theme - we all agree on that - but the main problem we have is that we cannot talk to unionists officially in a forum in which they are confident and happy and do not feel threatened. That is why we are looking at our relationship to the UK Parliament. Mr. Bruton is correct to say it is an absolutely legitimate aspiration to want a united Ireland and to examine that, but implicit in all that is reconciliation and listening, learning and working together.

I am just commenting now because I have to go soon. The shared island unit had a very good debate in Dublin Castle on Monday. There was a lady there representing the Protestant community who made the point that her community, a working-class community, is destroyed with drugs and crime, just like our communities. If we are really serious about change in both the North and South, we have to tackle this. If we can work on initiatives that benefit everybody regardless of their political opinions, improve the health service, transport and communications, fight drugs and achieve a better quality of life, particularly for poorer people, it will be the way forward.