Martin Kenny (Sligo-Leitrim, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

The difficulties that lay ahead were spoken about. While there is great hope and a great sense of opportunity in all of this, there are real difficulties. Reference was made to the public servants who had been out on strike. The difficulty in the health service in the North is one of the really terrible issues and particularly at the Fermanagh and Enniskillen hospitals. The A3 road project was also spoken of. I am aware there is a legal requirement from the St. Andrew's Agreement to come together North and South to deliver that. Other things were discussed such as the recent cross-Border rail review between both jurisdictions. We need to do a lot of work together, from both jurisdictions, to make that happen. The people at that meeting were saying we really need all-Ireland co-operation to make this work. That is clearly required. In fairness the people from the unionist community and from the DUP who now at last have come to this position recognise that also. It means there is a particular onus on the Government in this State to step up to the mark and show that we also will work to make that happen and provide for people.

The reality is that the Good Friday Agreement delivered a peace, but delivering a lasting settlement that is going to be there forever requires work, ongoing work and continuous work. This is why it is so important that all aspects of politics on this island come together to ensure we give it the fair wind it deserves. The Minister, Deputy Coveney, referred to seeing the First Minister and the deputy First Minister at the funeral of John Bruton last week. It is not false; this is a real opportunity and we must embrace that opportunity and move it forward.

See this speech in context