Jim O'Keeffe (Cork South West, Fine Gael)

That is why I consider it utterly ridiculous that the Taoiseach should write to party leaders recommending such a course of action in the situation that exists at this stage. In his letter he envisages that a committee of this House would meet at least every six months, with the first meeting to be held in early 2006. Is there the slightest opportunity that we would have cross-party representation from Northern Ireland in this House in early 2006? Is the Taoiseach living in another world or does he have another agenda as far as Sinn Féin is concerned?

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