Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)

That was a Second Stage speech appropriate for the committee on foreign affairs, the committee on European affairs or perhaps for overview debate on the Dáil. The Deputy has been asking about debates being held on a range of issues. He asked why there is no debate about the visit of Her Majesty, the Queen of England, but he has not mentioned the forthcoming visit of the American President and other visits that will follow. The Deputy has been complaining about too many debates yet he also wants debates. He wants the arms issue and Afghanistan raised. I do not know Mrs. Humphreys but I am sure she speaks from conviction when speaking about her family's involvement and the consequences of that.

The Deputy referred to the Hume-Adams talks. People across a broad spectrum have contributed to the peace process. The jigsaw that has been put together has not been confined to any group or individual. People in all parties have contributed to this, and some have obviously come further than others. We want that to continue. People now understand that in a democracy one can have a different point of view but through the secrecy and influence of the ballot box, communities can thrive, work and co-operate together in the interests of the people. In the most recent examination of this, the Assembly elections in Northern Ireland, not one of the 582 local authority seats and 108 Assembly seats went to any splinter dissident group. This speaks for the power of the judgment of the people of Northern Ireland in those elections.

If the Deputy wishes to hold a debate on this, he should raise it at the relevant Oireachtas committees after they have been set up next week or the whip for the Technical Group could raise it in a general sense when the House is sitting for longer periods, including on Fridays.

See this speech in context