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

I thank the Minister for his reply. Unfortunately, we witnessed hooliganism on our television screens last night. We saw the actions of a small minority determined to return to the bad old days. They must not and will not succeed. It is very important that this small band of extremists is marginalised so it is extremely important that we push the political process forward. I did not think we would again see 24 members of the police force and a 16 year old girl being injured on the streets of the second city of this island. We saw bottles and bricks being thrown, baton rounds and the water cannon. All of this type of activity should be consigned to history. It is extremely important that all aspects of the Stormont House Agreement are implemented in full.

Could the Minister indicate whether it is possible to progress parts of the agreement? I presume that different sections and aspects of the agreement can be progressed when work is underway on other aspects. It is extremely important that a clear message goes out to society in general that it is politics that will win and bring about a better society and communities for everybody in all parts of this island.

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