Maurice Hayes (Independent)

I also support the request for a debate on Northern Ireland in the wake of the post-election situation. However, I disagree with Senator Brian Hayes. There is a danger in denigrating political parties because one may appear to denigrate the people who elected them. In life one plays the hand one is dealt and if the cards fall that way, then that is the position. The two parties which have appeared as leaders on either side are classic outsiders who have now come inside. The challenge to them is to behave constructively as insiders. My recipe for the Government in the short term would not be feverish activity, but masterly inactivity.