Niall Blaney (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank all the deputation from Glencree for their attendance. They are most welcome.

I apologise for being late but I had to attend the Dáil to attend tributes paid to the late Noel Treacy, who was the first Chair of this committee. It is fitting that we keep him in our minds today because he was the ultimate republican who was very much behind the work that went on, as it does today, regarding Northern Ireland and creating healing, and ensuring that all sides are looked after. The work continues, we are doing something and there is memory.

I read the speech before arriving here. I could spend a lot of time talking about the work that has been done by the Glencree Centre but we have talked about that before so I shall not spend too much on that. I have spent two terms as a Deputy so I am very much aware of the fantastic work that the Glencree Centre has done over the years, and continues to do. We must focus on where we are now but also on where we can collectively move this situation along and overcome the current impasse.

As we know, difficulties have arisen with relationships since the signing of the Good Friday Agreement. The agreement has never become what it could and should have been. Brexit has also led to the creation of a whole new set of relations on the island and damaged relations on an east-west basis. We need to set about repairing those relationships in whatever way we can. The delegation has a very good handle, and better than most, on the feeling or temperature of the situation in Northern Ireland. It is really important that groups like the Glencree Centre are facilitated at meetings here. I would like to know what we can do now to engage with the centre. I know from attending before that the centre has done a lot of work in the past. How can we engage more in the future? Has the delegation any ideas around that? Have they any new ideas on same? I would like to hear their views.