Colm Burke (Cork North Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Tánaiste and his officials for the work that has been done in this difficult area. It is 23 months since the Assembly in Northern Ireland collapsed and we now have had the strikes. There is uncertainty there. Anything that can be done should be done to try to get an Executive up and running. I know a deadline of 8 February has been set. If no progress is made between now and 8 February, what is the likely next route to be taken to get people working together there? The Tánaiste may not be able to give precise details. Obviously, we have engagement with the Secretary of State but there needs to be a fallback position as well.

I am wondering where we go from here. Twenty-three months have passed. Will we be in the same position this time next year? That is the concern.

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