Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Taoiseach for his answer. I know that there are lots of worries and responsibilities upon the Government at this time but these issues must be continuously worked at. It is all relative. The violence was quite localised; it was only in Belfast. It is disastrous for people who live in those small terraced houses in what are called interface areas to live under that constant threat and worry. It is something I would not wish upon anyone. A total of 550 orange parades took place over 12 July. That is a huge amount of parades. The full total of parades by the loyal orders was 4,993. That is outside the experience of most people from this part of the island of Ireland.

I welcome the fact that Drew Nelson, the grand secretary of the Grand Orange Lodge addressed the Seanad. I also welcome the fact that at the last moment the Orange Order engaged in dialogue of a sort. The Government must find ways of continuously engaging. I refer to normal ministerial visits. I do not mean high profile visits, but small visits to the Short Strand and loyalist areas such as the Newtownards Road. Ministers will be given a very good welcome. That should be possible under the aegis of the Good Friday Agreement. We must find ways to encourage dialogue because that will allow us to find a resolution to the outstanding matters. Could Ministers be asked to visit the North more often, in particular the poorest, most disadvantaged working class areas that suffer the brunt of the sectarian violence?

See this speech in context