Declan Breathnach (Louth, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I dtús báire, déanaim comhbhrón le muintir Martin McGuinness agus le Sinn Féin agus leis an Teachta Gerry Adams faoi bhás a chara.

I thank the House for the opportunity to speak as spokesperson on North-South bodies and cross-Border co-operation and Vice Chairman of the Joint Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement. I have spent my political career in local government and, now, in this House endeavouring to encourage people on all sides to work in peace and harmony in the interests of future generations who will not thank us for not finding solutions to the crisis.

The rudderless leadership in Northern Ireland is most disturbing. We all know that where a vacuum exists, volatility, and even violence or unrest, is never too far away, especially for those who would prefer uncertainty and disturbance. The situation is especially acute given the continued uncertainty around passing a budget. The Civil Service is now running the North's finances. Mr. David Sterling has taken control of finances in Stormont due to the failure to pass a budget. He has written to each of the Departments to set out their spending limits and is now controlling the equivalent of 75% of the entire year's budget. If no budget is in place by the end of July, he can spend up to 95% of the budget. In effect, this would mean a 5% reduction in spending across Northern Ireland's public services. Brexit compounds and further exacerbates these problems. Northern Ireland is the most exposed part of these islands, with no leadership to protect its interests.

As a co-guarantor of the Good Friday Agreement, the Irish and British Governments must add greater impetus to reaching a solution to reactivate the Assembly before the deadline set by Mr. James Brokenshire MP of 17 April. While not wishing to lecture others, it is the responsibility of Sinn Féin and the DUP to recognise their responsibilities, step up to the plate, put aside their differences and govern in the common good. A fresh election will create further scepticism and cynicism on the part of those who want good governance. The cash for ash scandal is only part of a deeper malaise and adds to the perennial crisis in which Northern Ireland finds itself.

The process of any democracy is, as the Minister said, about respecting the other view of the world and working in peace and harmony to serve the people of their constituency. It is past time that this mutual respect transcended party differences. The parties need to get on with delivering for the all-Ireland economy. The momentum generated by the Fresh Start agreement has been allowed to dissipate into more bickering. The Irish Government has an important role to play in driving forward re-engagement, holding the British to their pledges and working towards justice for the victims of the Troubles.

Today will be described as "May day" in the context of Britain's exit from the EU. It will give rise to serious and common problems to be overcome on this entire island. I call on the Unionist population to engage in the dialogue needed to create common solutions on an all-Ireland basis in the interests of future generations that will look back and see real leadership in building an all-Ireland economy, providing stability, growth and job opportunities.

Michelle Barnier, in a speech on 22 March, said, "Unity does not mean uniformity. Unity is the first condition for reaching an agreement in any negotiations."

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