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

I strongly object to anyone describing issues around dealing with the legacy of the past, matters relating to a bill of rights, marriage equality or dealing with Irish language rights as petty squabbles. They are not one bit petty. They go to the heart of people's basic civic rights in Northern society.

As it happens, I was in Belfast last night. There is a clear voice from civic society looking for leadership. That same voice is telling us clearly that we should not back down on these basics. We are not doing another ten years of going around in circles and having the same endless debate and argument. We have agreed on these matters. We want the agreement relating to them implemented. In that regard, the Taoiseach should be on the blower to Theresa May. The Taoiseach should be asserting himself as co-guarantor of the Good Friday Agreement and the subsequent agreements. That is the expectation of the Taoiseach in his role.

Reference was made to the issue of a single voice on Brexit. The DUP took a pro-Brexit line. Arguably, that was the prerogative of the party. There is no single view between Sinn Féin and the DUP. That is the reality. Furthermore, Theresa May has made clear that she is not interested in affording to the North of Ireland or Scotland or anywhere else a significant role at the table in respect of Brexit. Consequently, people in the North rely on the Taoiseach to do his job and to represent them.

See this speech in context