Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The House has united on a number of occasions in respect of matters in regard to Northern Ireland. Since the Good Friday Agreement, when people North and South went to the polls and we had validation from the vast majority of the people of the island, this template still stands. However, it might be appropriate if we were to wait and see the recommendations Dr. Haass will put together following his analysis, and his listening and engaging with various elements in Northern Ireland, and see what he puts on paper for consideration by the Executive. If we were to have a debate before this happens it might be interpreted as trying to influence what recommendations he might want to make. When we see the conclusion of his work I am quite happy that we have such a debate here, one of many, where the narratives can be laid out side-by-side and we can see whether there is a conclusion that might move this forward.

It is quite right of the Deputy to refer to the invitation from Buckingham Palace and the Queen to Uachtarán na hÉireann to visit officially. It will be the first State visit by an Irish President since the foundation of the State to Britain. In this sense it speaks for itself in terms of its significance and importance.

The Deputy can take it the Government is quite willing to engage. As I stated to Dr. Haass and other members of the party, it is in everybody's interest that we should be able to bring closure where we can and we should be able to deal with the contentious issues of flags and parades, and hopefully, in the broad spectrum of the families of the more than 3,000 were murdered, killed or maimed South and North, that we will be able to move this on in some fashion. I am up for this, as is the Government. It is the way we do it which is important in the sense of people understanding we are serious about moving Ireland and the island of Ireland to a new place in the time ahead. I suggest we see what recommendations Dr. Haass makes. He is there at the invitation of the Executive. The House is willing to respond appropriately.

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