Mary White (Fianna Fail)

Had the elections been held earlier, I believe the result would have been different. The Government was too patient. I do not think we will achieve a perfect result on decommissioning. How can we be sure that every gun and every missile will be handed up? Someone must have the courage to make a decision and accept in good faith that both sides want peace. If they wish to do so, people can go out and buy more weapons, therefore, politicians must have the courage and vision to accept the sentiments of Sinn Féin. I would have accepted the sentiments expressed by Gerry Adams on the last occasion. A member of the American International Observers Group, Mr. Bill Flynn, who is highly regarded in the insurance business in the United States agreed with me that the wording was acceptable. I do not think we will get a perfect result on the matter at any time.

I am just saying what I believe. I have a passion for peace in Northern Ireland. I have been observing what has been happening in the Garvaghy Road since 1995. I have drawn up a report for various taoisigh. I have friends on both sides of the community in the North. I brought the first Fianna Fáil group to Glengall Street to meet David Trimble and we had dinner with him in one of the councillor's houses. I have friends on both sides of the divide, including friends who are ex-prisoners. This is the issue to which I would like to draw the Minister's attention.

Perhaps the issue of prisoners could be dealt with under the independent monitoring commission. This is part of the Belfast Agreement and has not been adequately addressed. It has never been taken seriously by politicians, North or South. The Agreement states that the Governments continue to recognise the importance of measures to facilitate the reintegration of prisoners into the community by providing support, both prior to and after release, including assistance directed towards availing of employment opportunities, retraining, re-skilling and further education. An ex-prisoner can be elected an MLA and become a Minister in the North but an ex-prisoner cannot get a job sweeping the floor in City Hall. Billy Hutchinson was an ex-prisoner, as were people on the republican side, and an ex-Minister was a prisoner. However, humble loyalists cannot get a job cleaning windows in City Hall because of a public service ban. There is no consistent approach to ex-prisoners.