Feargal Quinn (Independent)

I ask the Leader to consider having a debate on Northern Ireland. When I planned to raise this the other day, I was going to say it would be a good time to talk about the positive things because the killing has finished. Unfortunately, we all saw what happened two days ago when a young man was killed, reportedly by the INLA. I only hope that does not bring us back to the terrible years of all those killings.

I wanted a debate on Northern Ireland so we could talk about the positive things that have occurred. I read today that penalties for driving offences will be co-ordinated between Britain and Ireland, and between North and South as well. There have been benefits in food safety, with the holding of an all-Ireland forum in that area, as well as in tourism. There are so many win-win situations that it is worthwhile considering such a debate. In the past, we tried to get an agreement on penalty points, but that has not occurred yet. Those of us who know County Louth well can see the Northern cars increase their speed as they cross the Border because there is no danger of obtaining penalty points in the South. I would love to see a debate on Northern Ireland. It should be a positive debate, in spite of the killing that took place the other day.