Liz McManus (Wicklow, Labour)

I welcome this debate, which gives us an opportunity to pay tribute to all those involved in the discussions and the agreement that has been found. In particular, I commend the Taoiseach and Prime Minister Gordon Brown for giving their time to it. They could have found many reasons not to make that special effort, but they did not. They made a special effort and were the midwives who delivered what was a difficult conclusion, but which was immensely worthwhile. They deserve credit for that.

We have seen change with regard to these negotiations. We have seen changes in terms of what is, essentially, a deal between political parties. I do not buy the idea that this issue is somehow above political parties. It is about parties having to move, accept change, accommodate and compromise. It has happened in a context where change has occurred in Northern Ireland because time has moved on and peace has been established. The public in general has moved on as a consequence. It is worth noting a change that would have been inconceivable 20 years ago, namely, that a woman, Arlene Foster, took over, albeit on a temporary basis, the role of First Minister. Also, a second woman, Margaret Ritchie, became leader of a Northern Ireland party. Dawn Purvis, already heads up the PUP. The role of women in Northern Ireland has largely been marginalised and male supremacy was seen as the way Northern Ireland coped. This kind of change is very welcome and I hope it will develop further.

People now have very different expectations of their politicians. I was very struck by the comments I heard made in the vox pops on local Belfast radio. People were extremely angry that the politicians were not doing a deal and coming to an agreement. The general view was they should get on the job because people wanted to ensure they were dealing with the real issues affecting them on a daily basis, such as unemployment, the chance of getting a decent house and security in terms of policing. These are the daily concerns of people on this island. It really does not matter whether people are North or South, they have the same concerns to a great extent. It was an indication of a healthy society that the people wanted a deal to be struck in order to ensure that these issues were confronted. The old quarrels were being put in their place to a great extent. Yesterday, when attending the funeral of Tomás Mac Giolla, I was conscious that he was very far-seeing in terms of his political view. He expressed the view many times that the issues of unemployment and housing should bind people together and that sectarianism was the evil that prevented people uniting on issues central to their lives.

Northern Ireland has many other challenges to meet. One of the major issues for the future will be how far it can depend on ongoing funding from the British Government. This funding has sustained Northern Ireland for a long time, but it is unsustainable into the future and this must be recognised by all, regardless of their persuasion. It is important we are straight and acknowledge that the DUP has moved considerably from its position in the past, as has Sinn Féin.

I propose we concentrate on what we can do well together, North and South, east and west. One area in which we have proven we can work well together is infrastructural development. Most people are not aware, for example, that we have an all-Ireland electricity market. This was done almost subterraneanly because it was not seen as politically difficult. However, it was a milestone and it has worked well and to consumers' benefit, North and South. We need to consider ways we can build infrastructure, particularly in the renewable area, that will be of benefit to all of us. The wind does not stop at the Border nor in the Irish Sea. There is a way to ensure we work for the benefit of our communities, whether in Scotland, Wales, England, Northern Ireland or Ireland. That is the future. The world is getting smaller and we have opportunities now that we did not have before.

We should not lose sight of the opportunities in terms of policing. While there is always the fear of paramilitarism and general criminality, I have no doubt but that devolved policing and better communication between North and South will benefit everyone on this island.

See this speech in context