Martin Mansergh (Fianna Fail)

From the beginning, the peace process was built on first constructing a democratic, Nationalist consensus into which people would buy and then a democratic consensus involving both Unionists and Nationalists. There is complete unity in Government, this House and, with very few exceptions, the Dáil as to what an exclusive commitment to peace and democracy involves. While there are many useful suggestions which can no doubt be made as to how one might progress with politics, we should not allow ourselves to be distracted by side issues. The overwhelming priority and need is to ensure that everybody who will play a part in the peace process and, at some future date, Government North and South, signs up to and shares the same understanding of an exclusive commitment to peace and democracy.