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

Those of us who are privileged to be public representatives on this island should reflect that we all have a mandate to implement the Good Friday Agreement. That agreement received over 94% support in the referendum in our State and well over 70% North of the Border. It behoves all of us in public life on this island to work ceaselessly to ensure that its provisions and those of subsequent agreements are implemented in full. I appeal to the Minister to ensure that every effort is made in these talks to progress as many aspects as possible of the Good Friday Agreement and to implement measures contained in the other agreements without further delay.

I am concerned by the legislation proposed by the British in respect of dealing with the legacy of the past. I think it was Mr. Mark Durkan, MP for Foyle, who stated very clearly that the proposed legislation in its present form falls short of the commitments that were made in the Stormont House Agreement last December. I ask the Minister to give us an assurance that such legislation will be adequate to ensure that the measures proposed in the Stormont House Agreement are implemented.

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