Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)

Many things divide us in this House but there is general agreement across the House that no Member has done more to secure peace and stability on the island than the Taoiseach. We have been extremely fortunate too that for many years we have had a British Prime Minister in Tony Blair who has cared deeply about Ireland and devoted enormous effort and resourcefulness to addressing the issue.

It is, of course, a source of great disappointment to all of us that the Good Friday Agreement has yet to be fully implemented after such a long period. That Agreement represented the democratically expressed will of the people on both parts of the island, who are entitled to feel frustrated and disillusioned at the seemingly endless twists and turns that have thwarted its full implementation. We would do well, however, not to overlook the huge progress that has been made and the welcome fact that the daily lives of the people of Northern Ireland have been immeasurably improved, with benefits for all the people of these islands.

It would not be helpful here for me to rehearse recent history and seek to apportion blame but I will observe in passing that I suspect history will be kinder to parties of moderate opinion in the North than perhaps the electorate has been of recent times. However, we are where we are and St. Andrews was about getting from there to where we want to be. The Governments, following intensive and extensive discussions with all the parties, were able to map out a way forward. It is in the nature of events that this represents and requires compromise on all sides.

It is well known that there were two key and related issues. Put simply, would the DUP enter into an Executive with Sinn Féin and would Sinn Féin take the necessary steps to facilitate this through support for policing and the rule of law? At the preliminary round table session, based on broad principles set out by party leaders, there were some grounds for optimism but it quickly emerged during the course of bilateral discussions that there was still a wide gulf between statements of broad principle and turning them into practical steps which the parties involved were prepared to take. The fundamental conundrum was that the DUP was unwilling to enter an Executive without Sinn Féin having taken certain steps in relation to policing, while Sinn Féin for its part was unwilling to take steps of this kind without an Executive being in place.

It was against this background that eventually a sequencing of actions, including the early nomination of First Minister and Deputy First Minister, was devised, which we believe has the potential to bridge seemingly irreconcilable positions. It seems to us that the commitment to exclusively political and democratic means, which the Good Friday Agreement requires, inevitably must involve support for the rule of law and criminal justice institutions including, in particular, the Police Service of Northern Ireland. However, the Agreement requires too that power is shared between those parties which are so committed. It is not unreasonable, given the traditional attitude of the Democratic Unionist Party to the Good Friday Agreement, to look for tangible evidence that it is willing to operate the institutions.

I have always been, and will remain, a fervent opponent of the Provisional IRA. As Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, it was my duty to highlight the unacceptable activities by that movement even when on ceasefire, particularly in regard to criminality. For my troubles I was criticised as an enemy of the peace process but the truth is that the spotlight which was shone by Government on those activities has helped that movement to face up to these issues. I fully share the assessment of the Independent Monitoring Commission that it has done so. Sinn Féin's past, its outlook and its very mindset may be politically distant to me and many others but, particularly against the background of the developments at St. Andrews, the impediments to Sinn Féin being in an Executive in the North no longer exist.

A question which the DUP often asks and frequently asked at St. Andrews is why is it expected to share power with Sinn Féin when many parties in this House would be unwilling to do so. The answer, of course, is that power sharing in Northern Ireland is not a voluntary matter. Everyone who passes the threshold of commitment to exclusively democratic and peaceful means is entitled, as of right, on the d'Hondt principle, to participate in executive power under the Agreement.

Yesterday's events were not as positive as some might have hoped but if there is a will to work around difficulties, it will happen. In the real world compromise does not involve surrender. While the Governments will continue to play a positive and supportive role the issues can only be ultimately resolved by goodwill on the part of the public representatives in the North. That is what the people of the North expect and are entitled to. I am sure many look forward to the day when they will seek to have their issues and problems addressed in Belfast rather than in Dublin or London.

Before concluding I remind the House that there remains among us a small group of dissident men of violence on both sides, particularly dissident republicans, who believe they can thwart the will of the vast majority through violence. I assure the House that no effort will be spared by the Garda Síochána, in co-operation with the PSNI, to deal firmly and effectively with their activities.

While the Governments know what they must do if the institutions are not restored, what was agreed at St. Andrews is clearly the way forward. As we know too well, it would be foolish to think that its implementation will be simple or straightforward. However, Dr. Paisley spoke movingly last Friday of a better future for his grandchildren. I believe his grandchildren and all the grandchildren of the present generation in Ulster deserve that future. They cannot be expected to forgive us lightly if we fail.

To all of those involved in the process in Northern Ireland I say "do not look back over your shoulder at those who are reluctant to walk through the door" — as the Taoiseach put it. Now is the time for people to show leadership, bravery and commitment.

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