Maurice Hayes (Independent)

It is appropriate that I too should join in welcoming the visit of my friends and neighbours in the DUP to Dublin. These are people I have met and with whom I have done business over the years. They are formidable people and represent a formidable body of opinion. I thoroughly concur with Senator Mansergh about the importance of inclusiveness. I am encouraged by the atmosphere in which the meeting will take place. It is an indication of normalisation and how far we have moved away from overt conflict when people are prepared to come here and meet.

Like other Members I would welcome a debate on health and not only because we have a new Minister, whom I congratulate. I read the proposals for new health areas. An area from Thurles to Buncrana and from Loop Head to Bloody Foreland does not make much administrative sense and perhaps we should reconsider that.