David Norris (Independent)

It is important that we have a debate on the North of Ireland. I had expected up until mid-afternoon yesterday that this would be a triumphant day and that we would all be heaping praise on people and saying how well things had gone. This obviously does not seem to have happened, but some significant things did. It is worthwhile putting them on record, particularly the speech of Gerry Adams, which was quite an astonishing move forward. I very much welcome it. It is important the way in which the Unionists have given a welcome to this very important speech. The problem was that General de Chastlelain is a soldier; he is not a politician. He was not up to the spin. There was too much spin and too much hype. We were led up to this announcement and people were talking about choreography. They had better get a new choreographer because it did not work.

I agree with people who said it was a shame the SDLP was excluded. That was very damaging in my opinion for practical reasons that have been put on record but also from the point of view of choreography. Why did they not have Mark Durkan at No. 10 Downing Street and, if necessary, tell him to sit in the corner and read The Irish Times for half an hour, after which the negotiators would come out wearing big smiles and saying everything was on track? That is the kind of political management we need. It is a pity this has happened. The people in the North of Ireland are tough enough to listen to a few words from the Seanad. I do not think we need to be so mealy mouthed about it; they are practical, realistic politicians. I hope and believe they will get this back on track.