Frank Feighan (Fine Gael)

I join my colleagues in welcoming the final act of decommissioning by the IRA and congratulate Senator Mansergh on his role in the pursuit of peace. Many practical decisions made in pursuit of peace were, however, unfair. I refer specifically to treatment of the SDLP, the true democratic party in Northern Ireland, which has been sidelined by the British and Irish Governments for too long. The Fine Gael Party met a delegation from the SDLP last Wednesday. The simple reason the party was sidelined was that it did not have guns. I appeal to the Government to ensure the SDLP is treated fairly once again. Now that the gun has been removed from Irish politics, it is time for the true democratic parties to reassert their claim.