Trevor Sargent (Dublin North, Green Party)

How was plan B, reported in the newspapers, formulated and is the Taoiseach satisfied there has been sufficient consultation will all parties involved to ensure it will not set back progress and make it more difficult to make an agreement? Will plan B be on the agenda of next month's multi-party talks in St. Andrew's? Following my attendance and that of other Members of this House at the British-Irish Association conference in Oxford the Taoiseach will be aware of considerable and growing reports of the sectarian gulf in many communities, which is growing apace irrespective of the levels of violence. It seems to be ingrained and to be getting worse in the absence of political progress. Does the Taoiseach see a role for the non-sectarian parties, which find it difficult in the climate of a polarised society? Will he ensure that any consultation takes into account their importance in developing a normal society and that, regardless of their size, they are engaged to ensure that sectarian gulf in bridged at every opportunity?

See this speech in context