Feargal Quinn (Independent)

One of them involves the Lisanelly Barracks in Omagh, where Sinn Féin and the DUP have got together to convince the authorities that the site should be used as a joint facility for six schools from different sides of the divide. Just last week Senator George Mitchell joined the First Minister and Deputy First Minister in a cancer research effort that is taking place. Yesterday, in Wall Street, Mr. Martin McGuinness and Rev. Ian Paisley told corporate America that Northern Ireland is open for business. This is great news. However, there is a sense that in this part of the country we are not giving our full support. Some time ago I went to buy a wedding present with someone from Limerick, in the south of Ireland. I suggested buying some linen, but the other person refused, suggesting that we buy "something of our own". Clearly, the further one goes from the Border, the less people regard the North as part of Ireland. We now have an opportunity to recognise that we are a united Ireland and that we are moving closer and closer to unity. We should have a debate in the House to say that we support the people of Northern Ireland in all their efforts and to celebrate the wonderful achievements taking place there. Let us ensure that we have a well constructed debate on this issue.