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

Although the issues at stake have been quite vexed around the language Act, marriage equality, legacy issues and legacy inquest funding, I want to state that we did in fact find an accommodation. It is my belief the Taoiseach travelled to Belfast on 12 February in good faith. It is also my understanding that visit was initiated by the British side. It is my clear understanding that at that point all of us understood we had a draft agreement, one that I would describe it as "an honourable accommodation". It was open to critique as these things are but an accommodation none the less. I reject this notion that somehow there was an intractable process with immovable parties and that resolution was not possible. In fact, we demonstrated quite the contrary that we could arrive at the accommodation. It is a matter of very deep regret that the DUP could not deliver on that agreement.

However, the net issue now is what happens next. I strongly believe that the intergovernmental conference must be convened next. Then we require a concrete plan of action within the framework of the Good Friday Agreement to give answers on Acht na Gaeilge and marriage equality and a quick answer on the British honouring a commitment to release legacy funding as identified by the Lord Chief Justice. Answers to these questions are the route to getting back on a path to restore the institutions. I understand the frustration of the Green Party, the SDLP, People Before Profit and other parties. For our part, we have made efforts to keep people informed. I know it was frustrating and I shared many of those frustrations, but we should be clear about this. If the DUP refuses to move, then it refuses to move and, to be frank, I do not think it will make a great difference what process is entered into because this has always been a matter of political will.

Finally, I was alarmed, having met Mrs. Theresa May last week, that it is clear the British have no concrete plan for how to move matters forward. It appears that they are simply playing for time. That is potentially a very dangerous strategy to adopt. Matters are polarised in the North and we do not want to see that deepen further. I again urge the Taoiseach to insist on convening the intergovernmental conference. I do not know if we will have time to return to the Brexit issues, a Cheann Comhairle.

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