Jim Walsh (Fianna Fail)

I commend everyone involved in bringing us to where we are today. It is a significant achievement in a relatively short, but perhaps an unnecessarily long, period.

Many Senators commented on the Taoiseach's pivotal role. From some of my contacts with people on the Unionist side, many were struck by the absolute commitment and support he gave to the process leading up to the Good Friday Agreement. When he continued negotiating despite the traumatic death of his mother, Unionists were loud in their praise. We needed someone of that capacity and disposition to bring us to this point.

That is not to understate the contribution made by the Minister for Foreign Affairs, the Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs, Deputy Treacy, who is in attendance and played his part alongside his colleagues, and previous Ministers for Foreign Affairs, such as Deputy Brian Cowen and David Andrews. I would include Ray Burke in that respect.