Joe O'Toole (Independent)

There is a joke among politicians that election results would be excellent if one could change the electorate. This is a classic example of such a joke. I am as depressed as anyone else about the outcome of last week's elections, however the people have spoken. It is important that this House debates the election outcome because it will be made clear to Dr. Paisley, and the DUP, that now he has been elected, he has a responsibility and we want to see how he will cope with it. I have seen, in the many stages of my life, how people change when they are given a responsibility to make decisions and how they can compromise. There has not been a year in my life when I have noted where one man's renegotiation is another man's clarification. We have had this many times in Northern Ireland.

There are ways of moving this process forward. I have listened to various discussions with Dr. Paisley on the BBC and other broadcasters over the last number of years. There is nothing that cannot be sorted out if people have a will to sit down together. I agree with Senator Brian Hayes that some people may not have the will, but we must wait and see. Parliament on this part of the island must make it clear to the people of Northern Ireland that it accepts their decision and will work with them for the best for all the people of the island. I would welcome an early debate on the Northern Ireland elections.