Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

That is an issue and it will not go away.

On the issue of grouping the questions, I would say to Deputy Adams and to Deputy Martin that I do not mind if we separate them and take all the questions relevant to the British Prime Minister and the issues about the North-South Ministerial Council separately. It does not matter because they cover generally the same thing and overlap on one point or another.

It has been the tradition here, but I do not mind changing it if it would lead to greater discussion in the House about issues. Nor would I object to us having a much longer session where we could interact on issues dealing with victims and what might be the best way of following through in a way that would go further to healing the past with regard to the very obvious emotional and raw pain which is still there on all sides. I am certainly open to looking at this. I am not speaking about a truth and reconciliation committee as was established in South Africa but there is certainly a need on all sides of the communities to follow through in some fashion.

I am glad Deputy Adams stated that each weekend he goes to Belfast and works with communities there. On the occasions I have been there I have been very heartened to see members of his party working diligently with communities to build a sense of understanding, and the same applies on the other side of the community. This is something we must keep alive. It is why we have all discussed the PEACE III funding for vulnerable communities and we would like to keep it as a priority.

The next time such a list of questions arises I am amenable to changing the structure of how they are taken, perhaps grouping them relevant to the Prime Minister, the North-South Ministerial Council, other issues relevant to Northern Ireland, and where they overlap. It might lead to more meaningful interaction where ideas and proposals might come from Members of the House in general.

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