Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

It is most disappointing that there has not been a successful conclusion to the Haass talks, which concern issues of the utmost importance to the people of Northern Ireland and of all of this island. We need a satisfactory means of dealing with the contentious issues of parades, flags and contending with the past. Time is not on our side to reach a successful conclusion. The lack of a successful outcome will give further momentum to the very disappointing spate of dissident activity and the increase in the number of bombings that have unfortunately occurred recently in Northern Ireland.

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