Dr. Alasdair McDonnell:

It would be superfluous to ask questions after that gold-plated presentation, but I wish to raise a number of points. I thank Ms Stone and her team for the tremendous work they have done. We should record the value of that work to the people and the even-handed way in which they approached victims, irrespective of from where they or the victim makers came. I endorse the comments on the Haass discussions. Having been involved in the negotiations, we made considerable achievements on behalf of the victims and it is a tragedy that the negotiations were not concluded. We are, however, still working on these issues. On Monday and Tuesday I was engaged in lengthy meetings. I want to see a conclusion and, if there is one priority in driving the effort to reach a conclusion, it is the needs of victims and survivors. I agree that victims need a conclusion and that the Haass process must provide a way of supporting victims and survivors. There is potential to achieve closure and reduce the pain many victims feel. On behalf of those in my party with whom I am associated, I assure Ms Stone we will be driving the process every bit as much as she wants to see us driving it.