Paul Bradford (Fine Gael)

I support the motion and the amendment. I also welcome the Minister to the House.

Senator Norris's final remarks summed up the position appropriately. He stated we had moved from the bomb, the bullet and divisiveness. When I reflect on the number of debates we have had in both Houses in the past 20 years, I realise it is tremendous that we do not now have to preface our remarks in every political debate on Northern Ireland with words of condemnation of the previous night's atrocity. Whenever we spoke about political circumstances in Northern Ireland in the late 1980s and early and mid-1990s, we were generally responding to some atrocity, murder or explosion. However, because of the great work done by so many on all sides, we have moved beyond this.

I welcome the recent agreement between the parties and the two Governments. Perhaps I am too optimistic but I always felt an arrangement would be arrived at. I never liked using the words "settlement" or "solution" in regard to the Northern Ireland conflict or debate because the idea that there is some "Solution" to all of the problems is fraught with danger. In the politics of Northern Ireland one man's solution is another man's difficulty. We must, therefore, move with caution, care, empathy and sympathy. This is why the process in the past decade or so has been generally successful. One could reasonably argue that it would be preferable if there was more progress and that there should be greater political responsibility within Northern Ireland. I do not want to dispute this but we must ask where we are and were coming from.

When moving from a conflict that is not only decades but generations old, we must appreciate and respect that progress comes slowly. While we must also respect everybody's long-term view on where they would like Northern Ireland to be as a political entity, we must be happy with progress made in small steps. Small steps do not threaten but so-called "Settlements" can be very worrying for those from different backgrounds who have different views on what the future should hold.

I am not sure how long the Minister will be in the Department or in government and I am not making-----