Seán Crowe (Dublin South West, Sinn Fein)
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Comhghairdeas, a Chathaoirligh. I have listened to other speakers talk about their experience of the committee. I think I was on the committee when it was established back in 2007. Really positive work has been done over the years by all the members, but the most important thing was we tried to bring in people, groups and individuals who felt they were excluded and that nobody was listening to them. We also did a lot of outreach work and that was really successful. I remember a meeting on the Shankill Road. People said it could not be done. I remember we met young people there and for the first time them reaching out and talking about their concerns, their challenges and what was facing their community. That was down to Co-operation Ireland and the work it had done. I remember going to the so-called peace walls and hearing how there were more walls being built than had been there in the past. The most important thing was listening to a lot of families who had suffered a great deal and who felt no-one was listening and that there was no avenue for them to tell their story, as well as all the peace groups that were working with all communities and none.

We have done very positive work and there is room for us to continue with it. Deputy McCarthy mentioned the whole area of the environment and biodiversity. This is huge. It is a question of the practical things we can do as a committee. When I was Chair of the health committee, we visited at Altnagelvin hospital and considered the issues of heart attacks and cancer care. Really positive work is happening that people are probably not aware of. It would be really useful for us as a committee to familiarise ourselves with it and build on it. If we can include those families and communities that feel excluded, it will represent really positive work.

We should be wary of becoming dry as dust in our work. People must feel it is worthwhile. Many people watch the proceedings of these committees and make their minds up on the basis of what is happening inside and outside the Houses. If we are articulating the frustrations and some of the challenges people face in their lives, it will be really positive. There is a lot of work to be done. The most frustrating thing for all of us who were involved from the early days of the Good Friday Agreement right up to today is the slowness of change. This is probably what is killing the initiatives and energy that need to be put into the whole area. I wish the Chair well and look forward to working with everyone.