Joe O'Toole (Independent)

On the Northern issue, in recent times I raised the importance of developing the east-west aspect of the Good Friday Agreement. I have said in a number of places on numerous occasions that I feel we can create progress and a new political impetus from community, professional and economic involvement across the two islands. I felt there was nothing happening in this regard. However, I stand corrected because I have received an extraordinarily interesting letter from Scoil Eoin, Kilbarrack, which explains that it and a number of schools on both islands are involved in a most positive, progressive and encouraging east-west programme through which people talk to each other, explain their communities to each other, meet each other, take joint action on all aspects of community affairs and are publishing a magazine and developing a website. This is the way forward. I spoke to the organising teacher, Mr. Patrick O'Donovan, and this project could grow into something big. We should take example from it and do the same at different levels.

I would welcome a discussion on the east-west aspect of the Good Friday Agreement. It is something I have asked for previously. I believe this initiative is something that could be built on. It is time to resuscitate groups like Anglo-Irish Encounter and, perhaps, to give a different role to the British-Irish Interparliamentary Body in order to make progress. We should involve groups in society in moving matters forward and from this perhaps grow a political impetus.

I was moved last night to reread a document from over 250 years ago, A Modest Proposal, by Dean Swift, in light of what Mr. Myers said in his newspaper article yesterday. It is strange how biting satire and sarcasm written well will last for over 270 years and make an impact in a way that Mr. Myers never could hope to do in terms of approach and ability. I will read one paragraph from Dean Swift's biting sarcastic vision of how we might deal with the troublesome, unnecessary children in our community. He stated:

I have been assured by a very knowing American of my acquaintance in London, that a young healthy child well nursed is at a year old a most delicious, nourishing, and wholesome food, whether stewed, roasted, baked, or boiled: and I make no doubt that it will serve equally well in a fricassee or a ragout.

This is mind-churning and in context shows how a point can be made to extremes that will last over 270 years. I wish Mr. Myers could learn from it.

I bring to the notice of the House the wise words of a very experienced woman who stopped me in Dublin this morning and said: "When I think of Mr. Myers and think that he was created by two parents and brought up by two parents, give me one any time."