Labhrás Ó Murchú (Fianna Fail)

One hopes that the extension of time which has been granted to the Northern talks augurs well for a possible solution. The mere fact that the Taoiseach and the British Prime Minister are attending alongside representatives of the various parties is an indication of how far we have come. We have overcome many historical and political obstacles to reach our current position. If the current stalemate continues it will produce a very dangerous vacuum. Political commentators have suggested that extremism is on the rise. This morning, I heard a Unionist representative use pre-Good Friday Agreement terminology. We need to be particularly careful in this regard. I understand that it was a given from the St. Andrews Agreement that policing and justice would devolve to Northern Ireland. All the spokespersons from the main parties, including the DUP, have indicated their support for the devolution of powers. I hope the forthcoming election in the North is not casting its shadow on the issue because if we enter that election without a solution, we will see the emergence of a completely different grouping which will set us back ten or 15 years. What a vacuum of that kind can do does not bear thinking about. We spent years discussing this in this Chamber as did the Dáil and the media. We have heard it everywhere. We have gone through the blackest days in the history of Ireland and anybody who would endanger the progress we have made would want to think twice of the responsibility which is on his or her shoulders.