Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)

In the absence of any violence or threat, the British Government will be open to move more quickly. We will certainly endeavour to get it to do that.

The Minister for Social and Family Affairs, Deputy Brennan, reiterated what I said in a recent speech in Cavan. I obviously agree with what he said as he repeated what I said. I agree with a number of other colleagues who also said it. That is what is set out in the Good Friday Agreement. It is sometimes forgotten that this Agreement, which the people clearly supported, stated that while the principle of consent is accepted it is the people within Northern Ireland who will ultimately resolve the issue, and it did cover plebiscites that will take place from time to time.

Deputy Morgan will know as well as I that the time to press that issue is when stability and confidence is restored and when we have the institutions up and running, at which time we can get on with progress in North-South bodies. Even during the care and maintenance arrangements under which we have operated in recent years, all of my Ministers have continued to engage actively and proactively on North-South matters. We will continue to do that and try to build as successfully as we can.

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