Mary Lou McDonald (Dublin Central, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

It is not simply that the numbers have changed in the composition of the Assembly, although that is true as Deputy Micheál Martin has noted. Something much more fundamental and significant has happened, not least the fact that the Unionist majority in the Assembly is now gone. This changes everything and there needs to be a moment of reflection, as the Taoiseach urged earlier, for people to absorb that fact.

Another thing has happened, which is the absolute demand on the ground, not just an expectation, that agreed matters should be implemented. Sinn Féin does not need a pep talk from anybody in that regard. We are up for doing business. We want the power-sharing institutions to work. They can only work, however, on the basis of delivery. The Taoiseach is the co-guarantor of the Good Friday Agreement, the St. Andrews Agreement and the Fresh Start agreement - the list is very lengthy - but the fact is that Dublin and London are in default in respect of commitments entered into and this needs to be fixed. From Sinn Féin's point of view it is not a case of us being obstructionist; we want the institutions. The message from the ground, however, is clear. Matters agreed must be delivered. I believe this to be a reasonable expectation in a democratic society.

On the issue of the legacy inquests, we welcomed the remarks by the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Deputy Charles Flanagan, at the Pat Finucane lecture in which he urged the British Government to resource the legacy inquests and he backed the proposal of the Lord Chief Justice. This is essential. It would be £10 million in monetary terms and it is a confidence measure that is needed.

I would like to make one other point if I could have a chance to come in.

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