Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)

To take up from the Taoiseach's response, I would have thought that the questions and the manner in which I posed them reflected some of the points indicated in his response. The point at which we disagree is that there is no interrelationship and the Taoiseach spoke of not being intertwined.

I believe they offer opportunity. That is the point; that they are not moments in time of themselves. Does the Taoiseach not agree they can be part of a process in terms of progress on the rights of workers, the rights of citizens to national rights and to the hope and achievement of those national rights within their lifetime? That is something which means a lot to me and to many people, not only those whom I represent but those whom I know across a range of political opinions. I acknowledge that. We should not be afraid to address the bigger issues that are important to people. Does the Taoiseach not agree that we have a responsibility to ensure that politics addresses those issues and that a vacuum is not created that others would all too willingly seek to fill? What is important is to prove the primacy of politics and political address on major national questions that remain to be addressed. The way to do that is through dialogue and developing understanding.

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