Frances Fitzgerald (Fine Gael)

I join with Members from all sides in welcoming the Taoiseach to the Seanad to discuss Northern Ireland. I endorse his comments, particularly in reference to the late Senators Billy Fox and Gordon Wilson, and those about the spirit of the agreement and putting it into practice for the benefit of people in communities.

It is ironic, after a period of relative calm in the North, that on the eve of these statements we saw on our television screens upsetting and violent images of youths involved in riots against members of the PSNI. In this, we see the face of dissident provocation to the peace process and the undermining of police authority. It shows there is still a long road to travel to build on respect for the police force across communities. This hatred and violence has no place in a modern tolerant Ireland and cannot and must not overshadow the trojan efforts for peace and the great progress that has been made. Clearly, a threat exists and must be dealt with on the journey to normalisation.

In our democratic system, we often see sparks fly between parties, disagreement on policies and plans, changes of position in Government policy as one party enters Government and another departs, and rightly so. It is refreshing and commendable that throughout the vibrant political process the one item which has remained constant from one Taoiseach to the next and from one Government to another is the underlying commitment in time and energy to achieving peace on this island. My party is proud of the role Fine Gael-led Governments played, be it Liam Cosgrave and the Sunningdale Agreement, Garret FitzGerald and the Anglo-Irish Agreement or John Bruton and the part he played in laying the foundations for future, long-lasting, sustainable plans for peace. Equally, Fianna Fáil Taoisigh have played a critical and effective role in furthering and building political stability. The progress and success of the Northern Ireland peace process is a testament to the tenacity, determination and dedication of all the Taoiseach's predecessors, and he continues this tradition with his own high level of commitment to the ongoing process.

The Good Friday Agreement and St. Andrews Agreement are built on the cornerstones of consent, parity of esteem, equality of representation and cross-community support. Today, the institutions of Northern Ireland are beginning to bed down. Unionists and Nationalists work side by side in the Assembly and Executive, charged with delivering for all the people of Northern Ireland. Former political enemies are united in a desire for peace and prosperity for their community, their families and children and future generations. It was upsetting to see so many young people involved in last night's riots. The recent decommissioning by the UDA is the latest welcome development in the long walk to stability and normalisation in the society north of our Border.

The country faces challenges in building an all-Ireland economy. With these challenges come opportunities to develop industry, increase trade, improve co-operation and share ideas. Like many Senators, I have had the opportunity, as a member of the Joint Committee on Health and Children, for example, to meet our Stormont counterparts. We shared ideas and viewpoints on mental health issues, tackling suicide in our society and working together in the interests of all on the island of Ireland. Group leaders from the Seanad travelled to Stormont and met parliamentarians there. We need to see more of these types of exchanges in the future. The concept of establishing a parliamentary forum poses a real opportunity for meaningful dialogue and productive discussion.

While great credit goes to successive Irish Governments, British Governments, the political parties in the North and, crucially, the people of Ireland North and South for creating peace, the contribution of the European Union is rarely mentioned. It is appropriate, as we renew our national conversation on Ireland and Europe and move towards the second referendum on the Lisbon treaty, that we acknowledge the work of the EU in assisting peace on this island. Throughout the years of violence and division, European leaders and institutions played a key role, in public and behind the scenes, in encouraging moves towards peace and a shared future based on equality and fairness. EU funding has helped communities in Northern Ireland to work to address social disadvantage and build relationships which have been critical across communities. The engagement of community organisations in dealing with the day-to-day work of building peace and creating tolerance has been outstanding. The international community, in the EU and the US, has supported peace in Ireland and for that we are extremely grateful.

Northern Ireland is a good news story. However, as we saw last night, complacency cannot set in. A small segment of subversives, some trying to recruit south of the Border, is determined to destroy, hurt, maim, kill and end peace. We saw this in recent months with the killing of two young soldiers who simply ordered a pizza and a police constable who was savagely murdered without provocation. To these enemies of peace and democracy, let the word to out loud and clear from this House, from Government and from Irish society: You have no mandate, no right, no authority and no claim to speak on behalf of the Irish people. The Irish people have conclusively disowned you in referendums North and South.