James Lawless (Kildare North, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I again thank the Minister. I accept his answer.

It is interesting that 1998 is the year it ceased. I vaguely remember that. I was not involved in politics at the time obviously, but I have read about the beef tribunal and so forth. I was aware there were issues around that. However, 1998 is a long time ago. It is before the Good Friday Agreement was signed and before there was an internet or social media. Francis Fukuyama told us it was the end of history and that western liberal democracy had triumphed. Unfortunately, we are still working on that. There has been a lot of water under the bridge since and the environment we are trading in may be more volatile and may continue to grow in volatility vis-à-viswhat might have expected to mature and settle at that time. I will leave it there. I thank the Minister for his response. I also thank Deputy Troy for raising the issue and for his work in this space in the past.

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