Paul Bradford (Fine Gael)

Members have spoken with great sincerity about Northern Ireland this morning, which indicates that we need a comprehensive debate on the issues as soon as possible. No doubt the Leader will ensure that such a debate takes place next week. It would be helpful in bringing us towards a degree of clarification. Reading the media dispatches over the past 48 hours, it is easy to forget that 72 hours ago we appeared to be on the verge of great progress, of a major step forward. An agreement was drawn up between the British and Irish Governments. The Irish Government went into this agreement presumably with full collective Cabinet responsibility. Every component of both Government parties agreed to the document issued. It is therefore disquieting now to see some division in the Government on the substance of what appears to have been agreed, whether in the official document or in some sort of side document. We need certainty and clarity as soon as possible.

We must be careful how we approach this issue. Over the years we have said that it is not a matter for point scoring either within the political parties or between them, because the issue is far too important. At the last meeting some months ago of the British-Irish Interparliamentary Body, which I and some of my colleagues attended, I made the point that while we had crossed many bridges, the one quality still somewhat lacking was generosity. I feel that even more strongly today. We have difficult hurdles to jump and some will cause pain to many sides. We must nevertheless keep to the fore of our mind that we are steps away from bringing peace to an island that has been at war for generations. As we approach Christmas, that is a huge prize. Sacrifices have been made on all sides and in all political parties. I hope we will have the mature political leadership to bring us through.