Paul Bradford (Fine Gael)

I am glad to have an opportunity to say a few words on this legislation. While I was not present for the Minister's opening remarks, I have a copy of his speech, which I welcome. We must concede that in the overall scale of trying to make political progress in Northern Ireland, this legislation is neither the end of the beginning nor the beginning of the end, but simply another small step forward. When we discuss the politics of trying to bring about a political settlement or solution to Northern Ireland, we can sometimes dream too much of finding one great step forward which will solve all the problems. There will be no such step and the message must be to try to keep taking small steps and bring as many people as possible on board on each occasion.