Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)

We are all anxious that the Executive meet. The House must acknowledge that all parties in Northern Ireland, including Sinn Féin and the DUP, have made tremendous strides to get to this point. Many have moved on a range of issues. We should never lose sight of the significant steps taken by all parties to having a devolved administration up and running on a power-sharing basis, with cross-community participation and so forth. It is a unique form of government. They have put so much work into this and shown great courage that it would be a tragedy to undermine it in any way. People must continue to consider the big picture. The problems are not insurmountable. In principle, all parties are supportive of the policy dimensions of policing and justice. It is a question of standing back, not getting hung up on specifics and saying they have moved a long way in ten years. It should not be risked because a vacuum would not be desirable. Others have reason to undermine the institutions and cause mischief and havoc, which must be avoided at all costs.

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