Labhrás Ó Murchú (Fianna Fail)

I support the call for a debate on Northern Ireland. In recent weeks we all agreed it may not be the most appropriate time for such a debate but it would be appropriate now because as Senator O'Toole mentioned, there is a wealth of information that we did not have at our disposal previously. That demonstrates once again the extraordinary commitment of the two sovereign Governments to this peace process.

Many people would have walked away from the process a long time ago but the two Governments have stayed with it. When we consider the information now available, it is clear that major progress has been made. When the current effort was not derailed by what I regard as the outburst from Dr. Paisley in Ballymena recently on the need to humiliate republicans, I believe that effort will remain intact. I agree it is time for reflection and perhaps we should all work towards harmonising Christian principles with political activity. That is what we need at this time.

One major result that has come out of all the difficulties, and it may be ironic in an historic sense, is the fact that this process has brought Britain and Ireland closer together——