Martin Mansergh (Fianna Fail)

It has been eight and a half months since the Northern institutions were suspended. Even on a best case scenario, they are unlikely to be restored before 12 months are out. I, therefore, support the call for consideration of this matter before the recess in order to help all parties, not just the Governments, to consider what needs to be done to ensure a participative and inclusive peace, with justice and stability, in Northern Ireland.

I also support calls for an objective debate and laying out of what was achieved in Brussels overnight. It is obviously too early to assess the position, but the Minister for Agriculture and Food has a great track record in negotiating for Ireland. I am sure he has done as well as it is possible to do on this occasion.

I echo calls for a debate on Sellafield. The interest of this country in avoiding contamination and disaster is obvious. The angle on which the British Government may be vulnerable is the billions of pounds that are poured down the nuclear black hole without any obvious return. One always wonders the extent to which this is compatible with EU competition rules, which are so strict about investing even €100 million into airlines or anything of that nature.