Martin Mansergh (Fianna Fail)

The people of Northern Ireland are so defined in annexe B of the Agreement, so what we are doing is entirely consistent. The British Government has reinforced that in a joint statement and, therefore, there are no Northern implications. There will be no rioting on the Falls Road or the Shankill Road when this measure is passed. There are internal arguments going on in the North as to whether the Agreement can be renegotiated. Naturally, parties tend to pick up anything to hand and run with it, but only to a certain extent. I do not see that there will be any significant implications in it.

In the manner of 17th century French satirists, I must pick up on a point made by our most perfect Minister. He said that Article 9(2) reminds us that fidelity to the State and loyalty to the nation are fundamental duties of all citizens but he has got that the wrong way round. Maybe he could argue that fidelity and loyalty are synonymous, just as nationality and citizenship are.

Last week I mentioned the interpretation of Article 9(2) for those outside the jurisdiction. I presume it is to be interpreted and maybe one day the Supreme Court will interpret it as requiring loyalty to the State of those who live under its laws and, in other circumstances, respect for the State. That seems to be a logical, common sense interpretation.

I endorse something Senator Coghlan said in that it is probably good that we are not putting more on people's shoulders than they can bear. Maybe it is good that electronic voting is not going ahead and that people will not be confronted by too much novelty. It is obviously a case of saying to our tallymen: "Come back, all is forgiven and you have a long future ahead of you."