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

I thank Sir John. It was very enlightening and there was great clarity in what he said. At the heart of it all is the co-operation that was evident between the British Government and the Irish Government in the first place. As Sir John rightly stated, all of the people outside the political process had a key part to play, just as they still have today.

If there is one comment I would make, it is that it is important that the relationships that leaders, such as Sir John and, indeed, the former the Prime Minister, Mr. Tony Blair, had with the Irish Government will continue to improve now under the new leadership in Downing Street. Progress happens most when the British and Irish Governments agree and work together on forming a solution that everybody can sign up to, and that is what happened as a result of Sir John's work.

To explain to Sir John, we have different political parties here and we allow 15 minutes each for questions. We are still committed to the break after an hour and 15 minutes - the clerk to the committee will tell me when that time comes - or if Sir John wants to break any time earlier. For the members, it will be: Fine Gael, Sinn Féin, Fianna Fáil, SDLP, Alliance, Greens, Sinn Féin, the Labour Party, Independents and Aontú. The first speaker will be from Fine Gael.

Before I call on Senator Emer Currie, Sir John may or may not have known her father, the late Austin Currie, who was a prominent politician and Minister in the Northern Ireland Executive at one stage and, uniquely and specially, was also subsequently a Minister in the southern Government. Senator Currie has great knowledge and experience and her family are renowned for their efforts in relation to peace on the island. Emer, go ahead.