Paul Bradford (Fine Gael)

I am pleased to speak in support of this important legislation which is designed to copperfasten the progress made by the North-South bodies which were set up as a result of the Good Friday Agreement. In a sense it is disappointing that this legislation is necessary but as a result of what we hope will be a temporary suspension of the Northern Ireland Assembly, steps must be taken to ensure that the political clock does not turn back or, indeed, stop. This legislation, which will have the support of every fair minded Member of the Oireachtas, demonstrates our belief that there is no going back where the Good Friday Agreement is concerned, that the historic political changes and opportunities it brought about are here to stay and that the two Governments and the people they represent will continue to work for the full implementation of the agreement.

The passing of the Good Friday Agreement by a huge majority of the Irish people, North and South, in 1998 has brought about dramatic opportunities, changes and hope. As in all conflict resolutions, where real progress and change can be painstakingly slow, different people with different agendas can see the same agreement in different ways and respond accordingly. For some it can be a bridge too far and they will attempt to block progress in every fashion. For others the steps taken will never be enough and they will criticise the limited nature of change. The Good Friday Agreement is no different. Many people at the extreme ends of the opposite sides of the political spectrum have no great interest in making the agreement work. At best they will be lukewarm about its implementation and at worst they will do their best to see it wrecked.

What we are saying this morning is that there can be no going back. The progress made by the agreement, limited as some may believe it to be, is still real, lasting and positive progress. We must also call on all concerned to show the simple, although important, qualities of patience, understanding, generosity and trust which are now needed as much as ever but which, unfortunately, have not always been evident. It is disappointing that in recent years when change was taking place slowly but surely, when great political debate was occurring, the Northern Ireland Assembly was in session and the Governments were meeting, a significant number of political commentators and a minority of politicians did not demonstrate the generosity required.

Some on this island seemed happier with the old certainties where everything appeared to be black or white. The language of condemnation was the everyday parlance and they had their dictionary of condemnatory terms. The people concerned are not ready to adapt to the new circumstances which we must grasp with both hands. We must be generous in our response to those faced with changing a lifetime's tradition. We should trust the politicians who are taking the painful steps forward to bring about change, including the Taoiseach, the British Prime Minister, the former First Minister, David Trimble, his deputy, Mark Durcan, and the leader of the Sinn Féin Party. We must trust such people who have taken bold steps and walk with them to ensure progress continues.