Labhrás Ó Murchú (Fianna Fail)

Regarding a debate on Northern Ireland, the Leader was right yesterday when she said it is not appropriate at this time. We all know why she said that. We have had many debates on Northern Ireland in this Chamber over a number of years. Each time, we felt we were on the threshold of a breakthrough, which was not the case. Our dearest wish is that prior to the Christmas recess we might come to this Chamber and see the beginning of that final breakthrough. I do not believe there will ever be closure for the grief of those who lost loved ones. They will bring that grief with them to the grave. They are in a purgatory of suffering which unfortunately will continue. Given the public nature of their grief, each new development and story will activate it all over again.

Everyone here is being genuine. I have searched in my heart for years for words to help those innocent people who for no reason find their emotional lives wrecked and their loved ones gone for ever. I hope that when the next debate on Northern Ireland takes place in this Chamber we can deal with many of these issues. We cannot simply say there is closure and expect everyone to go along with that. We will have to help those people in some way. To achieve this, we will all find ourselves using an entirely new language.

I am not going to defend the Government or anyone else but I have always admired those involved in the peace process who kept trying when all efforts seemed useless and when we did not expect progress. We have made progress, but progress and closure are not the same.