Trevor Sargent (Dublin North, Green Party)

While the peace process cannot be a cold house for Unionists, neither should it be for Opposition parties. As Dublin Castle no longer hosts the Forum for Peace and Reconciliation, it is in effect a cold house for Opposition parties. This must be resolved if the Government is serious about inclusiveness and bringing Unionists on board in future governance. How can the Dáil agree to this motion when all parties have different views on what a united Ireland means? We must set down the different options and hold a referendum to avoid the pitfall of majority rule which gave us so much grief in the North.

The issue of Northern Irish MPs having speaking rights in this House must be discussed. There are several options to ensure there is an outreach north of the Border and that the door is not closed to those voices in the North which can be examined through the precedent when the late Gordon Wilson was appointed to the Seanad. We need to reform the Dáil. How can we persuade Unionists if smaller political parties are denied party recognition in the Dáil? This would not be acceptable in the Northern Ireland Assembly. Parity of esteem is needed on both sides of the Border.

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