Jim Walsh (Fianna Fail)

If we want to go along the road to a united Ireland — and I am totally in favour of a united Ireland by agreement — then we must put in place the mechanisms that will enable us, first of all, to reach a mutual understanding.

As regards the North-South bodies, concessions were made on Spy Wednesday, leading up the Good Friday Agreement, which significantly diluted the agreement. They were made under pressure to get all sides on board. There is a danger that that could happen again. I would prefer it to take two or three weeks longer so we would have a sustainable agreement. It is important to activate the North-South bodies. I was at a conference in Enniskillen two weeks ago where that was advocated strongly, particularly by those within the Nationalist community. It was also supported by people within the Ulster Unionist Party.

The six areas of co-operation must also be activated because they are more meaningful and will impact more on people's lives than will the North-South bodies. We can build on that and will gradually build the Ireland we want for the future.