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

She married across the divide and reared her children. If anyone spoke with passion and conviction about the problems associated with communities not being educated together, it was she. That is somewhere the communities have to start. Putting aside the constitutional question, which will be decided at some stage by referendum or otherwise, we will have to address the needs of young people, the future as they want it to be and the question of integrated education. That will bring about some of the change we all want. These are the important points I learned.

I have to comment on my Fine Gael colleague Deputy Feighan. I totally acknowledge his conviction regarding the future relationship with the British Government but I want to comment on the excellent relationship we have with France and state its importance. The difference between the French and the British is that the French are our nearest EU neighbours. They are very good friends of ours. I know that Deputy Feighan does not disagree with that. It is important to have the connectivity. The relationship between the Irish and British Governments is getting better. I think Lord Caine spoke yesterday – Ms Claire Hanna would not have heard this – about significant discussions with the Irish Department of Foreign Affairs about possible amendments.

Members of this committee will be going to the British Parliament on 11 June or 12 June. All parties will be represented on the delegation. We hope to reiterate in the strongest possible way the points made by our guests and everybody in the North and South.

I thank Ms McNamee, Mr. Hynes, Ms O'Brien, Ms Irish and Ms Martin for attending. I know we are going to meet them again.