Paul Bradford (Fine Gael)

We have been holding a mini-debate on Northern Ireland. I concur with requests from Senators for a full debate. It is time to devote a few hours to a debate on the election and other recent events. Some Members suggested that last week's results are somewhere between disappointing and disastrous. However, they are the results. Regardless of which politicians are elected to represent Northern Ireland at Westminster or in the Northern Ireland Assembly, the Good Friday Agreement has been signed on both sides of the Border. The political task is to ensure that the Agreement is completed. Those elected from the extremes of the spectrum will soon realise that, after the loud words die away, the Agreement is the only way forward. We must use a debate in this House and our words elsewhere to ensure that the Agreement is kept at the forefront of politics.

I also extend my congratulations to the Prime Minister, Mr. Blair, on his achievement. He has transformed his country and party. It is remarkable that he won a hat trick of elections. Whether he will be there for the next 12 months or three years, he has an important role to play on Northern Ireland, in which we should wish him well.