Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

As the Leas-Cheann Comhairle knows, there is no easier job than that of the hurler on the ditch. Let us go up, contest and ask the people of the Six Counties to vote for Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael or any other party.

The DUP will try to sectarianise these matters. Even though it would not be Deputies' intention, the DUP may be aided in this by some of the utterances from this Chamber. However, this is not an orange and green issue. Like all right-thinking people, many Unionists have contacted me to say that they are appalled by what has been happening, for example, the scandals of NAMA, Red Sky and the RHI scheme. The actions of the DUP in the RHI scandal have the potential to cost the taxpayers £500 million over the next 20 years. That will be paid for by Unionist and Nationalist citizens.

Beyond the election, there will still be a need for negotiations to establish the institutions, but we do not want to renegotiate what we have already agreed. Much of what is at fault lies in past agreements not being implemented.

Deputy Micheál Martin does not understand Martin McGuinness if he thinks that anyone in Sinn Féin is outflanking him on these issues. As Martin McGuinness made clear, we will not agree to a return to the status quo. There must be a step change in the behaviour and attitude of the DUP to its partners in government and to the working of the institutions. We also need to see a step change in the approach of the Irish and British Governments. It is a fact that successive British Governments have refused to live up to their responsibilities.

That is a fact. They refused to live up to their responsibilities. Their actions have hollowed out the agreements. There is a responsibility on the Irish Government to ensure the agreements are upheld and implemented. This is not an attack on Fine Gael. In recent years, apart from the brilliant work done by Albert Reynolds and the work done by Bertie Ahern on the Good Friday Agreement, successive Governments have consigned themselves to the role of spectator and occasional commentator.

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