Dessie Ellis (Dublin North West, Sinn Fein)

I hear what the Minister is saying but this is a commitment. This is an international commitment as well as one between us and the northern authorities. We need a better idea, not merely to wait for the meeting of the North-South ministerial body to discuss this. We must have something concrete and we must say it will be done in a certain timeframe. The Minister is saying he is not scrapping it but, effectively, he is putting it on the long finger to such a point where it could be five or ten years down the line. That would be unacceptable given what has happened.

It does not say much for relations between North and South. We all are trying to build up the continuity between North and South to foster proper relations North and South. It is something that really needs to be addressed. It was a firm commitment and it should be adhered to.

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