Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Bhí sé sin an-ghreannmhar ach sin an scéal. Cuirim fáilte roimh an deis seo a labhairt ar chúrsaí tábhachtacha a bhaineann leis na Sé Chontae. Táim an-sásta leis an méid a dúirt an Teachta Gilmore. Ba mhaith liom mo bhuíochas a ghabháil leis as ucht an obair a rinne sé.

Sinn Féin has called consistently for debates such as this to be a regular feature of Dáil business. The reality is that it will be squeezed and we will be dealing with a range of serious issues without adequate time to get to grips with most of them properly. That is not satisfactory. We have proposed that there be a monthly Dáil debate on the North. I urge the Taoiseach, even at this late stage, to agree to this proposal. Leis seo bheadh súil ghéar á choimeád ar phróiséas na síochána.

The peace process is undeniably the most significant political development on this island since partition. Let us remind ourselves that the partition of Ireland was both illegitimate and immoral. As James Connolly predicted, it triggered a carnival of reaction and created two conservative states on this island, ruled by two elites who entrenched their own power and privilege to the detriment of ordinary citizens. The campaign of the Northern Ireland Civil Rights Association in the late 1960s for equality in housing, education and employment and at elections was met with a violent response by the Stormont regime, supported by the British Government and tolerated by the Irish Government, and decades of conflict ensued.

Decades later, the Good Friday Agreement marked an historic shift in politics on this island by establishing a firm foundation from which it is now possible to continue building a future based on equality. For the first time since partition, there is an international agreement involving the two Governments, in addition to Nationalist, republican and Unionist parties, on a way forward. The agreement is one thing but implementing it is an entirely different country. As the events of recent days in Belfast have underlined, the peace process needs constant attention by the Government and political parties here.

The future of the political structures is currently in a very precarious position. In the 17 years since the Agreement was achieved, it has faced many challenges. Many commitments in it have not been implemented fully. The Taoiseach will know many were not implemented under the previous Government.

A commitment made at Weston Park to investigate the murder of human rights lawyer Pat Finucane has not been implemented.In the St Andrew's Agreement, a commitment was made-----

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