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

First, I thank the Deputies again for their interest and for raising these issues. In respect of Deputy Haughey's points, every political party and movement has its aspirations in terms of the constitutional future of the island, including Northern Ireland, and that is as it should be. I have no issue at all in articulating that. Our party, which is the party that I lead, has a clear view in terms of the unity of the people of Ireland, and we have shared that on numerous occasions. Equally, we have been a party that has been to the forefront in advancing progress, particularly throughout the totality of relationships - the British-Irish relationship, the North-South relationship and the relationships between the different traditions on the island - and culminating in the Good Friday Agreement, which is an agreement that we still need to maximise the potential of on a whole range of fronts.

The main point, which Deputy Haughey referenced in his question, that I wanted to get across was the need for an absence of unilateralism in terms of any one party's approach to legacy issues or, indeed, the protocol. I made that point specifically to the British Government during that speech and through the medium of that speech. There cannot be unilateralism in respect of legacy issues because there was agreement between all parties and Governments in respect of legacy issues.

In respect of the protocol, there is a facility within the withdrawal agreement for that to be resolved through joint committees and so on. We have worked hard. Vice President Šefčovič of the Commission has worked very hard and has come forward with what I think is a very imaginative set of proposals that has the potential to unblock the issues around the operation of the protocol. I think it is in the best interests of all in Northern Ireland that the talks be progressed now in a proactive and constructive way to make sure that we can get the best outcome for the people in Northern Ireland in respect of the operation of the protocol. That means continued access to the Single Market of the European Union, which is a huge prize for everyone living on the island. North-South trade is very important and has continued to grow in the aftermath of the protocol. Equally, businesses in Northern Ireland should have access to the UK and the European Union.

In respect of amnesties, I agree with what has been said by Deputy Brendan Smith. The perpetrators of violence, particularly those who were engaged in the murder and maiming of people, cannot get away with it and they must know that they will be subject to investigation. Some of these cases are still being pursued and people can still bring forward information that would lead to a resolution of these cases. I would urge people to come forward with information in respect of a lot of the unsolved cases where the families of victims, including the families who have lost loved ones, eagerly seek closure. Different models are being discussed. The British-Irish Council discussed this. People have mentioned Operation Kenova. I met all the parties last week, and some of them were instancing that as a useful model, but what is important is that whatever emerges be done in agreement between all parties and the two Governments without any unilateral move.

In terms of the issues Deputy Carthy raised, I will come back to him. I do not know why my officials have not been in touch, but I will follow that up. Regarding the idea of a citizens' assembly, these questions relate to the British-Irish Association and I have had a long engagement with the association since I was a backbench Deputy many years ago.

I have spoken on many occasions of my experience at Corrymeela, for example, meeting with politicians from different traditions. The citizens' assembly is a representative forum, in respect of which a particular number of people from different strata of society are selected by poll. That is not how we will resolve Northern Ireland's issues. I mean that genuinely. We need constant, consistent engagement with people to work out issues. A citizens' assembly, on its own, will not achieve this. We need a constant interaction between Parliaments, community groups and political parties to get these issues resolved. I genuinely believe that.

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