Mr. Jack O'Connor:

On Mr. Mark Durkan's point that this has worked for 15 years without a bill or rights, that is a frightening attitude. There are indications that we might be coming to the point where they would be proved wrong, especially in the context of economic decline, austerity and the alienation it fosters in a society as people retreat into traditional avenues in that environment.

I was struck by what Mr. Durkan said about simultaneously focusing on the charter of fundamental rights. In so far as I understood what he was saying, I agree with it. My only regret is that I did not think of it first. There could be issues for the trade union movement in this regard.

I must inform Deputy Joe O'Reilly that I did not go far as saying that a bill of rights would have prevented what has happened. As a trade unionist, I am reluctant to speak in such absolute terms on any issue. On a more serious note, I said that a bill of rights could have prevented it. I made that assertion because those who voted against the recommendations of the bill of rights forum were voting against certain guarantees in relation to cultural identity. That was highlighted as an issue by the people who were protesting. I would not suggest that any one thing would have such an effect. It took us a long time to get to where we are. This is one of the ingredients we strongly believe is critical if more progress is to be made and if the progress that has been made is to be consolidated.

Deputy Crowe and Michelle Gildernew made the point that deprivation and poverty are not restricted to west Belfast or certain areas on the north east of the island. They are aware that I totally agree with that view. Regardless of one's political views, one will agree that it is absolutely appalling, as we celebrate the centenary of the great Dublin Lock-out, that we have returned to the era of children on this island going to bed hungry. I totally agree that austerity places the greatest burden on working-class people and those who depend on public services. I think that is obvious. Such people have carried two thirds or 78% - depending on how one measures it - of the fiscal consolidation imposed in this jurisdiction over the past five years or more.

I totally agree with the point made by Michelle Gildernew that working-class people have the most to gain from a bill of rights and from equality. They are not the only people who would gain, however. There are many examples of people who see themselves as being better off, and might think they have a greater vested interest in things staying as they are, finding themselves as individuals on the wrong side of the absence of a bill of rights. More to the point, a bill of rights and what it implies is critical to the task of building a prosperous economy. It is critical if we are to attract investment, reassure potential investors of the security of the environment in which they would be operating and make progress with the possibilities offered by the Good Friday Agreement for the benefit of everyone on this island.

I reiterate that it is absolutely critical for every one of us, including the members of this committee, to strongly encourage both Governments to set the pace in this regard. That means more than saying that something is to be imposed. It means fighting to win over those who are opposed to this proposal. Perhaps the trade union movement could do a bit more in that respect as well.