John Minihan (Progressive Democrats)

I would not like the day to pass without referring briefly to the situation in Northern Ireland. I acknowledge and respect the views expressed by Senator Brian Hayes and I wish both Governments well as they try to overcome the current impasse. I also welcome the commitment to holding elections in Northern Ireland in November and I hope we will see an Executive coming out of those elections. I also hope that those parties which have always held the line of reason will be acknowledged in any such Executive and will form part of it. Apart from that I concur with previous speakers, as the less said the better. I hope we can overcome this impasse and take a major leap forward to bring peace to the island.