Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)

The American Government and people have also shown their support and their generosity through their contributions to the International Fund for Ireland, the American Ireland Fund and other programmes. Our partners in the EU too have been with us all the way. Their concrete assistance, through the PEACE programme and the International Fund for Ireland, has successfully promoted economic development, reconciliation and cross-Border collaboration.

We look now at a Northern Ireland where peace and democracy has triumphed and where partnership Government will be restored on 8 May. This is a success for the international community, which has been so steadfast in its support for the peace process. It is a powerful message of hope for others across the globe who are struggling with violence and division in their societies.

While this is undoubtedly a time full of hope and expectation for Northern Ireland, it is also a time to ponder some of the challenges ahead in achieving lasting reconciliation. Senator Quinn was correct to state that this is only the start. There will be many bumps on the road ahead.

Notwithstanding progress on the political front, dealing with the legacy of division remains one of our greatest tests. We have seen this played out around contentious parades in the past. Although last year's was the quietest marching season in decades, the issue continues to evoke high emotions that can all too readily lead to sharper tensions, instability and violence. However, the progress made in recent months, particularly since the meeting at St. Andrews, has surely taught us that no problem, however intractable it may appear, is beyond resolution. I urge all those on both sides who are involved with parading to reflect on the new beginning at the political level and to renew their determination to find workable and agreed solutions locally and leave behind the politics of confrontation and negativity.

In moving forward, we also recognise that there is an ongoing imperative to address the needs of victims and to deal with the painful legacy of the past. Again, the Taoiseach and Dr. Paisley spoke about this issue at some length at our meeting earlier today. In the Good Friday Agreement, the two Governments recognised that it is essential to acknowledge and address the suffering of the victims of violence as a necessary element of reconciliation. Since that time, the Government's work on implementation of the Agreement has been informed by the needs of the victims of the conflict. It is true that all of Irish society, North and South, has been affected by that conflict. However, it is the victims and their families that have carried the biggest burden of personal loss and injury. Ian Paisley and Gerry Adams acknowledged this fact in their respective statements on 26 March last. They both spoke of those who have suffered and they evoked a collective responsibility to build the best future possible as the only fitting testimony to the tragic past. The Government wholeheartedly agrees with these sentiments.

As progress has been made on the political front, issues from the past have continued to emerge. This is as a result of several factors, including an increased expectation that victims from both sides will be heard, and listened to, in an atmosphere where co-operation and dialogue have improved to an unprecedented degree. In addition to the improved political climate, the work of the interim victims' commissioner, the Historical Enquiries Team and the Police Ombudsman for Northern Ireland — as well as other non-governmental initiatives such as "Healing Through Remembering" — have contributed to a better understanding of how to deal with the past. Inquiries continue to play an important role in addressing deeply troubling aspects of the Northern Ireland conflict. Regrettably, however, we still await the establishment of an independent public inquiry into the murder of Patrick Finucane, for which all parties represented in the Oireachtas have called.

In our own jurisdiction, there have been a number of reports from Mr. Justice Hamilton and Mr. Justice Barron and follow-up Oireachtas reports into deeply troubling incidents in the 1970s. Most recently, the MacEntee commission of investigation has been examining aspects of the Dublin and Monaghan bombings. The commission's report was shown to the families earlier today and is being published this evening. I know that Members of the Oireachtas will want to peruse the report, which is extremely complex and makes for difficult reading, and consider its findings in detail. I assure them that the Government takes seriously any allegations of collusion. This issue will remain on the agenda of our meetings with the British Government, at the highest level, and we will continue to address it.

I reiterate the Government's absolute commitment to working with victims and to facilitating them in resolving, to the greatest degree possible, issues that remain fresh in their minds many years after the events concerned. Those who suffered in the past deserve a legacy which is as positive as possible. Their personal stories have inspired us and have reminded us, when progress was slow, of the reason we had to continue to work towards a political resolution.

The achievement of a peaceful and just society will be the true memorial to the victims of violence. This was explicitly recognised in the Good Friday Agreement. Today we are another step closer to that achievement.

I reiterate my thanks to this House for supporting the Government's efforts thus far. In partnership and co-operation with the British Government and the parties in Northern Ireland, we are determined to ensure that the final steps of the peace process will be successfully completed.