Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)

——to be as equally flexible in their approach to these issues.

I do not wish to become involved in a broad debate on this matter but it would be wrong were the Government to be highlighted as a party to the Weston Park agreement that did not deliver.

I will pay tribute to Senator Mansergh, something I should do more often. I was present at Weston Park to dot the i's and cross the t's on certain legal aspects while I was the Attorney General and I am aware the Senator played a significant role in what were lengthy, sometimes interesting and sometimes tedious sessions of negotiations. The people do not know how much work he has put into this issue over the years. I agree with Senator Mansergh on issues such as the Dublin and Monaghan bombings. It is necessary for the democracies and democratic governments that preach certain standards to have a special responsibility to adhere to the standards.

Senator White's views on certain past events that are not likely to be forgotten are passionate. The Senator implied the State had never done anything——