Seymour Crawford (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)

I thank my party leader for the opportunity to say a few words on this important issue. There is no doubt there is an enormous responsibility on all parties to walk the walk and not just walk through the door. They have engaged in a great deal of talking in recent times and it is important that they now deliver.

I welcome this opportunity to speak on this vital issue and, above all, I welcome the change of attitude of some of those involved in the Northern Ireland political system. As a person living in and representing the two Border counties of Cavan and Monaghan, I know better than most the cost of the Northern Ireland difficulties, not only in terms of human death and many people carrying injuries for the rest of their lives but also the serious loss to our economy from lack of investment, tourism etc.

While I congratulate all those involved in the St. Andrews agreement we must remember it is only an agreement between two Governments and it will take a great deal of work, commitment and, above all, trust to make it a reality. Only yesterday we got some indication of how difficult that will be. It is important the DUP makes a reality of what it has promised and accepts democratic power through sharing, but equally it is vital that Sinn Féin accepts and commits itself to law and order and the police force, which is necessary to provide security and law and order for everybody.

After ten years of discussions and debate, it is time for everyone to face reality and deliver that faith and trust for which so many of our people yearn. It is now more than ten years since my party leader, as the then Minister for Tourism and Trade, set up the process to market the island of Ireland as one entity and that eventually became Tourism Ireland. It could do much more work successfully in Northern Ireland and the six Border counties if the Assembly was up and running, as it should be.

Unfortunately, I can think of other organisations such as Waterways Ireland which do not have the same record. Waterways Ireland, like other North-South bodies, is still under the care and maintenance strategy and it is difficult to get an answer to the question as to what will happen to these bodies if the Assembly is not up and running by the end of March. Waterways Ireland is of specific interest to me and many others in the Border region because of the importance of projects such as the Ulster Canal. Never had this nation more finance available and the Tánaiste said we do not need it all, yet projects such as the reopening of the Ulster Canal depend on the Northern Ireland Assembly working with the Government to let Waterways Ireland do its job.

Will the Taoiseach advise us what will happen to the North-South bodies' care and maintenance strategy if the Assembly does not work? Having been involved in many background meetings with the DUP and others over the past 12 months or so, I note that attitudes have changed dramatically. I have no doubt there is a willingness to do business, but fine words and statements regarding commitments are not enough. We are at the stage where delivery is vital — I say this to both sides, not only to one side — if the trust needed to deliver the fully operational democratic Assembly is to be achieved.

As vice chair of the British-Irish Interparliamentary Body, on behalf of the Fine Gael Party, I am proud that for the first time in the history of that organisation we will have our next meeting in Belfast. At our spring meeting in Kerry, the DUP attended for the first time to address it, which was also a major breakthrough. That body has played a tremendous role in breaking down barriers between the two Parliaments. It can play a major role in the future not only on an east-west basis but also on a North-South basis. As Dr. Ian Paisley said at the weekend, if the Assembly works, all the children of Northern Ireland can look forward to a peaceful and bright future. Only hard work and a building of trust can achieve this.

At a recent meeting of the British-Irish Association in Oxford, I witnessed first hand people from both sides of the divisions in Northern Ireland talking and working together like people who could do business.

That meeting was in private so I will say nothing more about it but it gave an indication of what is possible if goodwill and trust exist. Such goodwill and trust can be achieved and I urge both sides to ensure they deliver on the commitments given at St. Andrews. There should be no procrastination or further questions. The parties should get down to the job at hand and deliver. Then, as Dr. Paisley has said, and Mr. Adams would also say, there can be a peaceful and bright future for our children, not just in Northern Ireland but on the island of Ireland.

See this speech in context