Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)

I thank the Leas-Cheann Comhairle for the opportunity to speak on this debate on the 44th plenary session of the British-Irish Parliamentary Assembly, BIPA. I thank and commend all my colleagues for their work on this body. However, it is up to all Members, both Deputies and Senators, to play our part in building and developing relationships on the island and between the islands. We should never take the peace process for granted and we all have a part to play in furthering conflict resolution, which is why I am supportive of the BIPA. I thank and commend Deputy McHugh, chairman of the BIPA, and his co-chair, Laurence Robertson MP, for their work on this noble project. Regardless of political differences in this House, they are doing an excellent job and have the support of all parties and Independents.

When the assembly comes to Dublin, it gets a massive reception with the Taoiseach, Tánaiste and Ministers turning up. The same happens in the North and it is warmly received when it attends Scotland. However, I have heard from BIPA members that they are not happy with some sections of the British establishment when the plenary is held in London. The British Government and those involved would want to take this parliamentary body seriously. It makes a massive contribution to peace and justice throughout the islands which is important.

Deputy Ferris mentioned that today is the 38th anniversary of the Dublin-Monaghan bombings. I offer my support and sympathy to the families who I believe are marking it on Talbot Street. Many Members were invited but could not make it because we are speaking in this debate. It is important we remember the victims. When their support group looks for funding, they should be supported by the Government. I was saddened to learn in the past 24 hours that the office for Justice for the Forgotten is now located in a portakabin in a back garden in north county Dublin because it could not get funding, some €14,000, for office facilities.

It is important we zoom in regularly and remind ourselves of the rights of citizens in the North and the South and the basic principles in the Good Friday Agreement. One of these basic principles is accommodating diversity and enjoying difference, in which the BIPA has been directly involved. However, we need to get that down to ground level and be more supportive of people at community level involved in projects accommodating diversity. I have met many of them over the past six months who have briefed us on the situation. They are concerned about sections of the peace process and conflict resolution that are not going well and about sectarian divisions on the ground. Sectarianism, like racism, can never be tolerated. As we all come from different religions and cultures, we can enjoy their diversity. I welcome Deputy Martin Ferris's call for a truth commission. We must think of the victims of 30 years of violence and their families who deserve the truth and explanations. I urge the BIPA to take up this call.

We must also look at the radical changes in population structures in the past three years in the North. We soon could have a Catholic Nationalist majority there. I know the numbers game is complex and that detailed and complex constitutional issues could arise. I was saddened during the presidential campaign when some regularly spoke of some candidates from the North as those people up there. We all live on the island and we should work closely together. I want to see a calm debate and not an emotional rant. In last year's Assembly elections, 48% voted Unionist while 42% voted Nationalist and 7.7% non-Unionist or non-Nationalist. However, when one examines third level college participation, another picture emerges. There are 20,995 students from Catholic backgrounds, which is 59.3%, while 14,410 are from Protestant backgrounds, which is 40%. Many from the Protestant religion attend third level in the UK and then take up job offers there after graduation. We need to examine population trends in the North in a calm and measured way. Are we in the South mentally prepared for that? Will those who claim they are democrats respect the result of a ballot on the future of the North? The status quo there is up for grabs. We have to be radical, free-thinking and out there. There are several options such as unity, joint sovereignty, some form of federalism or even an independent North. All these must be discussed in a non-threatening way over the next several years in order that we are prepared for it.

One element of the BIPA's work I fully support is the all-Ireland economy and I commend Padraic White for his work on this. I have heard positive reports from the North-South Ministerial Councils where Ministers were swapping telephone numbers while Peter Robinson and Martin McGuinness have been trying to facilitate informal contacts. We need to examine this as a serious option. It can also help the Government in its calls for economic growth and job creation. This is a small island and we could do much if we agree on an all-Ireland economy.

My local football club, Shelbourne, has strong links with Linfield football club which has strong Unionist ties. I have met some of the club's members when they have been down in Tolka Park at some great social nights. Many people are breaking down barriers on the ground. I commend the Shelbourne supporters for their work in ending sectarianism.

The BIPA has made a massive contribution to the peace process. There is, however, significant potential to build on the successes of the peace process of the past decade. There are also ways of deepening the relationships between these islands. People have different views. I come from the democratic republican view and do not agree in monarchies, believing people should be elected on merit. I do not expect everyone to fully agree with this but, equally, I expect other people to accommodate my point of view as well. I wish the BIPA well. It contains different points of views and solutions. I hope it will encourage conflict resolution more, deal with sectarianism and population trends in the North, as well as continuing its good work in building an all-Ireland economy.

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