Noel Treacy (Galway East, Fianna Fail)

I believe that the Minister for Foreign Affairs has been taken out of context in this matter. He has been very consistent on behalf of the Government. He has been critically involved in the mainstream negotiations at the highest level of detail with all the different actors, personalities, parties and groups. At all times the Minister for Foreign Affairs on behalf of the Government wants to ensure that everybody works together, which is critical for Northern Ireland. As individuals, political parties, Governments and community leaders both in Northern Ireland and here in the South it is vital that we all recognise this. We again make a special appeal to all those who have this in their hands, who have leadership responsibility and a political mandate to ensure they discharge that mandate, fulfil their obligation and participate so that we can achieve the progress that is critical to all the people in Northern Ireland and vital for the future of the island.

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