Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Yes, but the Good Friday Agreement underpinned the rights of people to Irish citizenship, which in turn underpinned their European citizenship rights, which facilitates what was agreed last Friday.

It could be argued that had the Governments in which the Taoiseach served showed half as much interest in Northern Ireland, then we might not have the deadlock and lack of co-operation we currently have.

In future, will the Taoiseach show a bigger approach to this issue, which used to be defined by the greater recognition of the work of others? Will he agree that the absence of the Northern Assembly and Executive is causing long-term damage while major cuts in vital services are being implemented? There has been a deep regression in the rhetoric from London on Northern Ireland. It is an issue to which the Government and the Oireachtas must pay significant attention. I will comment more on that tomorrow.

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