John Dardis (Progressive Democrats)

I endorse the remarks of Senator Brian Hayes regarding the peace process. It is important to disentangle the peace process from the war in Iraq. The focus of this House during the coming days should be on events in Northern Ireland, to wish the Taoiseach, the British Prime Minister and all the parties to the talks well, to look forward to the joint declaration which will issue before the weekend and to hope that all the parties will sign on for a conclusion to the process in the sense that it will finally bring permanent and lasting peace. If not, the verdict of history will be particularly severe upon them.

In the context of those remarks it would be appropriate for us to review this matter if time can be made available next week. It would not be helpful to have a debate before the conclusion of the talks but afterwards we should review what has happened.