Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I especially welcome our visitors and it is good to see friendly faces. The Taoiseach knows another round of talks to re-establish the political institutions will start tomorrow in Belfast. This will be the fifth round of formal talks since the power-sharing arrangements collapsed a year ago. There have also been numerous informal and private exchanges between Sinn Féin and the other parties, including the Democratic Unionist Party, mostly on Michelle O'Neill's initiative. The institutions need to be re-established on the basis of equality and parity of esteem. Thus far, the Democratic Unionist Party leadership has resisted this imperative, and there is no doubt elements of that leadership are encouraged by the pact it has with the Tory Government in London.

Many people in the North were pleased with the Taoiseach's recent assertion that nationalists will never again be left behind by an Irish Government, so his recent remarks on Clare FM were very disappointing. This type of negative commentary has long been the hallmark of statements about the North from leaders in the South. These include the Taoiseach's predecessor and the Fianna Fáil leader, who along with others present the difficulties as the fault of two problem parties. The Taoiseach should try to avoid that temptation. Whatever effect this negative approach has in elections here, it is certainly of no assistance to the talks process in the North.

The Taoiseach is well aware of the issues, which concern rights. In essence, all the rights being denied to people at this time are rights available to everybody else on these islands. In his Clare FM interview, the Taoiseach stated that Sinn Féin is incapable of negotiating and compromising in the North. This begs the question for the Taoiseach as to what rights should be compromised. Perhaps Gaelgóirí should forget about an Irish language Act or gay and lesbian couples should forget about marriage equality or the bill of rights. These are not the questions I am asking today.

Instead, I actively encourage the Taoiseach to continue to meet people in the North, outside the political parties, to get a deeper sense of what is happening there.

I have recorded my concern about the toxic atmosphere that has shrouded political discourse in recent times. However, I welcome the announcement this morning by the group describing itself as Óglaigh na hÉireann that it has ended its armed actions. I especially thank and commend the trade unionists and community leaders who were involved in securing this outcome. Meaningful change can only be managed and advanced through exclusively peaceful means. That is Sinn Féin's commitment and our record is there to see. Martin McGuinness's letter of resignation is very clear about what must be done. Grassroots opinion is also quite clear. Will the Taoiseach recommit to engage energetically and consistently with the British Prime Minister to uphold the Good Friday Agreement and to help to get the political institutions restored as soon as possible?

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