Labhrás Ó Murchú (Fianna Fail)

Is mian liom fáilte a chur roimh an socrú atá déanta chun an Ghaeilge a phlé inniu. Ar nós na cainteoirí eile, tá súil agam go mbeidh seans ag gach éinne gur mhaith leo páirt a ghlacadh sa díospóireacht é sin a dhéanamh. Díospóireacht thar a bheith tábhachtach a bheidh ann.

I join the other speakers who have expressed abhorrence at the terrible, brutal events which have taken place in Northern Ireland in recent days. We all hoped and believed this was part of the distant past and had been consigned to history. I do not honestly believe it is in the gift of anyone to take the life of another person. I have always held that view and still hold it.

I very much agree with Senator O'Toole's comments on the positive side of the progress made since the Good Friday Agreement. All of us, North, South and internationally, have invested a significant amount of hope and confidence in the Good Friday Agreement and that which has flowed from it since. We have seen major progress, which perhaps we could only have dreamt of and aspired too 20 years ago. Anything which distracts from or undermines that is not for the common good.

I do not understand how any reasonable person is not able to read the signs and understand that people on this island want peace. We stood each day in this House for many years condemning brutality in other parts of the world and always asked that diplomacy would replace military activities and terrorism. One cannot ask another part of the world to do that and not do it in one's own country as well.

There is a good opportunity to build on the unity that has been expressed in recent days. One difficulty with the events which have taken place is that if the united approach is not evident and manifested, things can grow gradually over a period of time. The initial weeks after events of this kind are particularly important. I accept an all-party motion is a step in that direction.

I strongly support the view of Senator O'Toole regarding having ongoing reports and debates. We had them during the Troubles in the North of Ireland and we have all, from time to time, called for debates on the North. We have had some since the Good Friday Agreement, but we should have them on a regular basis in the future. We should have an opportunity to discuss specific developments, activities and aspirations in this House in the future.