Michael Finucane (Fine Gael)

In a 30-year period, 3,636 people have died in the conflict in the North of Ireland. Yesterday, we all envisaged that we were poised on an historic agreement. However, this seemed to have failed for one specific reason regarding photographic evidence. The blame game is now very much in place between Sinn Féin and the DUP. Yesterday, in the Lower House, the Tánaiste, Deputy Harney, claimed it was not necessarily photographic evidence alone that was the cause of the breakdown in the talks. I am at sea as to the other reasons. However, these should not concern us because the Taoiseach is still optimistic that a resolution will be reached before Christmas. We wish him well in his endeavours.

Had a resolution been achieved yesterday, it would have been an historic agreement and a successful climax to all the talks that have taken place over the years. Members have spoken and written eloquent newspaper articles on the situation in the North. As we face the Christmas recess next week, it would be helpful if the Taoiseach or the Minister for Foreign Affairs could attend the House to specifically debate this agreement. If there are minor issues preventing a successful agreement being reached, I hope they will be ironed out in the near future and a political logjam, with a sense of instability creeping into the situation, will be avoided. I ask the Leader to invite a member of the Government to debate this issue.