Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

These are issues the sovereign Governments have agreed on with the parties. People signed off on these issues at St. Andrews, so they are not optional extras.

The other key point is that we need far more in terms of anti-sectarian initiatives and the building of cross-community relationships. I ask the Taoiseach, even from the limited budget available, to add something in order to give momentum and to support the historic approach of our Government.

The other big issue I am concerned about is the poverty in many parts of Northern Ireland. The child poverty rate of 46% in west Belfast is extraordinary and is something we need to address. This affects the entire island. In addition, there are loyalist areas in which there are high rates of early school-leaving and health indices are very poor by international standards, as we know from the all-island mortality studies. If we do not get to grips with those more fundamental issues-----

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