Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

From the experiences of our history and the dialogue that has been ongoing for the past two years, along with the work carried out by the Ministers and by the leaders of the Opposition, a new foundation has been laid. In a difficult time a recognition has been set down among the people of this island North and South that dialogue is better than confrontation. I have no doubt it will eventually prevail with the co-operation, help, support and confidence of all the people of this island. That is particularly important to the business sector, North and South. Over recent years the two parts of this island have become to a great extent dependent on each other. Any intervention in that area will not make it easy for populations on both sides. It will not make it easy for the economic performance on either side.

I hope that the British people will come to the conclusion that what we had for the past 60 years or so in terms of European unity with peace and harmony is a hell of a lot better than anything that will be achieved otherwise. I hope they will have an opportunity to vote again. The previous referendum was non-binding, but the degree to which the result has been adhered to in the meantime, one would think it was binding. However, it was a non-binding referendum, as referendums there are.

Obviously the politicians who supported that position at the time - I will not go back to my friend, Nigel Farage, again - do not want to have a second referendum because unless they got the same decision a second time, they will look very poor in light of things that are unfolding. If a second referendum is held, I see nothing that would convince me other than that the decision would be reversed. Many business people, investors and people whose jobs are in jeopardy are now talking in a way they did not previously. They have information they did not have at the time of the original referendum. I hope that happens and the European people can travel in the same direction in the firm belief that nothing strange will happen to upset the harmony that has been developed in very difficult circumstances over a long number of years.

There was virtually a 30-year war on this island. The Good Friday Agreement brought that to a conclusion. It took a considerable amount of time and effort on the part of many people to come to the conclusion that was then signed up to by the international community, the British Government, the United States, the EU, the UN and every other body of consequence on the globe. To walk away from something like that and to pretend it never happened would be a colossal mistake.

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