Seanad debates

Wednesday, 2 March 2005

11:00 am

Photo of Martin ManserghMartin Mansergh (Fianna Fail)

Like other Senators, I salute the courage of the McCartney sisters. Historically, civic courage has been one of the greatest motors of human progress. Nonetheless, one has to note that despite the fact that some of the right noises are being made, nothing has actually happened so far in response to the sisters' demands.

I never believed I would see the day on which Dr. Paisley would be joking on an RTE broadcast about ecumenical breakfasts with the Taoiseach. His statement was particularly important, especially in light of some commentaries outside these Houses to the effect that the peace process is dead as a dodo and that we should simply stop talking to certain people. Dr. Paisley made it very clear that his party would be prepared to enter Government with Sinn Féin in the right democratic circumstances. That statement is important not just for now but also for the future.

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