Mattie McGrath (Tipperary, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I, too, am delighted to speak on this issue. It is long awaited. I salute those involved in the peace process, none less than former Minister, and a colleague of mine in Tipperary, Martin Mansergh, and, indeed, the late Fr. Alec Reid, John Hume and all the people who tried. We got the peace process and then we saw Stormont stop and start repeatedly, but anois ag dul ar aghaidh, buíochas le Dia. I compliment the First Minister, Michelle O'Neill, as well as Ms Little-Pengelly and all the team. I especially congratulate Paul Givan, who is an-chara liomsa, a good friend of mine. I am delighted he is in the portfolio of education.

There is so much to be done, I could not believe it. Deputy Howlin and I were part of a BIPA delegation that visited the North recently. We found there is so much poverty there, just like here, but I was astounded to see it is even worse. We met groups such as the Society of St. Vincent de Paul and other charities that work with people. The amount of issues they encounter is incredible. It is the same as here but it is more acute. All this was being ignored. When I was in Stormont last October with BIPA, I walked up and down the corridors and saw the doors of the offices of the deputy First Minister and the First Minister dúnta. It is great to see Stormont open again. They are doing what they are getting paid to do and what the electorate expect them to do. I wish them well. I hope they will do well.

There are so many issues there. I will mention one of them, which is the road from Monaghan up through Ballygawley and Aughnacloy and onwards in the North. It is such a bad road. Parts of it in Monaghan are bad as well. That needs to be progressed. There is carnage on the road. There was a minibus accident not too long ago near Ballygawley. That is one issue that needs to be addressed.

There are people like Michael Gallagher, who lost a loved one in the Omagh bombing. There are so many people there who have legacy issues that need to be sorted out. Go n-éirí go geal le na teachtaí go léir. I wish them well.

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