Niall Blaney (Fianna Fail)
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I welcome the report. However, there is something that strikes me about the language used that is really important. The Good Friday Agreement was brought about through dialogue and cross-party agreement. In light of that fact, authors of reports like this - and I do not wish to sound like a dictator - should be careful in their use of language. Given that we do not have an agreement on a shared future or a united Ireland, the other element of society in Northern Ireland will take offence at the talk of a united Ireland. I, as much as anyone in this room, would love to see it happen, but we should change our language until we get that shared consensus. We should be talking about a shared consensus, shared future and a shared Island. All the other things can be agreed around it. In the meantime, we need to be careful, because there are many doors which have yet to be opened, before we get to where we would like to. Language is, therefore, really important and this should be recognised. There are many elements in the report that are very useful and will be so in future. Professor Morgenroth referred to the most important infrastructure, and I am glad he mentioned the Derry-Belfast element but the entire north-west, and not just the part within Northern Ireland, has been very badly affected by a lack of infrastructure over the years. Derry, Strabane, Tryrone and Donegal are now recognised as being part a north-west city region, and it is really great to achieve that, but the link to Dublin is as important as the link to Belfast. One is as important as the other, and both are needed, because they are essential infrastructure. This includes the road that is being planned from Derry to Dublin and the road being built from Derry to Belfast, but equally, it includes the rail infrastructure, and the upgrading to speed rail on the line from Derry to Belfast, and from Belfast to Dublin.

As part of his research, has Professor Morgenroth looked into social welfare attainment in Northern Ireland? People in Northern Ireland hold dear the access they have to free heatlhcare, but, on the other hand, they do not have access to the same welfare payments as we do in the South. Many people feel that the South would not be able to cater for the needs of those in the North in the longer term. Has the Professor done any research on that issue, and what is his opinion on the matter?

Overall, I welcome the report and any further similar reports. I agree with the Chairman that the more voices we have around us, and the more discussion we have, the better.