Shane Ross (Independent)

It is very rare that a Minister, let alone a Taoiseach, gets universal applause from the House. We might not all agree with everything he has been doing regarding the Northern Ireland peace process. However, we salute the energy and dedication he has shown and applaud him on the relentless way he has pursued peace in this country.

Whatever our differences on other issues, it is remarkable that in recent times debates of this sort have revealed a unity which is to the tremendous credit of the Seanad and its Members. The Leader and the Taoiseach will recall that less than 15 years ago we could not debate Northern Ireland in this House without fire and brimstone descending and rash and foolish comments being made, which were somewhat primitive in their origins and were extremely unhelpful in bringing peace to this island. It is right that the Taoiseach and his predecessors, Albert Reynolds, Deputy John Bruton, Garrett FitzGerald and Charles Haughey should be saluted for the great work they have done in respect of the peace process. Some of them do not get the credit they deserve. It may be that the Taoiseach will be given final credit for bringing peace to this part of the island but there is a pantheon of heroes who have done a great deal in the pursuit of peace.

The latter should be recognised by me and others who come from what is undoubtedly a different outlook on this subject. I was not brought up in the same type of atmosphere, with the same basic beliefs or in the same tradition as some Members of the House. However, those of us who come from different traditions — by that I mean different religious denominations — must recognise that whereas we have come some way, others have had to make an even greater effort to meet our beliefs on this matter. We should salute them for that. Senator Mansergh, with whom I have had many spats on other minor issues, has played a tremendous part in the peace process and that should be recognised.