Mary White (Fianna Fail)

I welcome the Minister and his Department officials. I welcome the establishment of this independent monitoring commission. It represents progress and an injection of energy for Northern Ireland. I do not agree with Senator Brian Hayes that there is no road map. How could we have a road map in politics? Every step of the way is unpredictable and it requires vision and courage. As I said here two weeks ago after the elections, I do not look at the election results as dismally as some people. I see it as an opportunity. We may be surprised by the DUP – its representatives may be more pragmatic than we expect and be willing to do a deal. As I said that morning, we should send our good wishes from this House to both parties, who were democratically elected.

The last day I said this I got into trouble, but I deeply regret that Professor Monica McWilliams lost her seat. I was a personal supporter of hers. I will not mention any more names. I wanted to put that on the record in a calm manner because there were ructions when I mentioned to whom she is related – she is a first cousin of you-know-who.