Jim Glennon (Dublin North, Fianna Fail)

I support the motion, which addresses the full context in which the Government and the parties in this House can assess the current state of the process. As the Taoiseach and other speakers have outlined, the present situation is very serious. The tensions of the marching season are already not far off. At this point, we can only hope that the cross-community work on the ground of recent years and the wise adjudication of the Parades Commission will ensure that tensions and conflict on the interfaces are contained and minimised. As with many other problems, the issue of contentious parades can only be resolved through dialogue and agreement. The Good Friday Agreement envisaged that no one should need to yield his or her cherished convictions or beliefs. It enshrined the belief that everyone should respect the views and rights of others as equal to their own.

In current circumstances, when the focus is inevitably on recent events and the difficulties of securing momentum in the political process, this idealistic vision of the Good Friday Agreement may seem remote. Nevertheless, it is hugely important to take account of some of the encouraging progress made to date on human rights and equality, which, despite being at the heart of the Agreement, are often overshadowed by other issues.

The Agreement, particularly in its rights, safeguards and equality of opportunity section, represents an important accommodation that protects and promotes the identities and entitlements of all political traditions, groups and individuals. I know the Government attaches a high priority to the human rights agenda of the Agreement. It is discussed with the British Government on an ongoing basis, including through the framework of the British-Irish Intergovernmental Conference and was a central component of the Joint Declaration published by both Government in May 2003.

We have seen the establishment of human rights commissions, North and South. The two commissions have set up a joint committee of representatives that considers human rights issues on the island of Ireland. The operation of the Equality Commission in Northern Ireland is another of the success stories of the Agreement. Despite this progress, I know the Government recognises that there is no room for complacency and that it will continue to strive for the full implementation of the human rights and equality agendas, which are at the core of the Good Friday Agreement. The creation and consolidation of a culture and framework of equality and human rights on this island will serve to underpin and support the pressing goal of attaining stable, inclusive, power-sharing government in Northern Ireland.

Certain parties seem to feel that they have cornered the market on human rights and equality. They seek to explain away any legitimate political criticism that is directed at them as being an infringement of their human rights or a denial of equality. I hope my remarks this evening have shown that sustaining human rights and equality is not about slogans thrown around for political convenience but about patiently building up frameworks and processes that, over time, institutionalise them at the heart of government and society.

It is in all our interests and it is our responsibility to continue to build a society in Northern Ireland where the legitimate rights of each individual and each community are accommodated and respected. That is our programme and I commend the motion to the House.

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