Paul Bradford (Fine Gael)

It is great that we are debating this profound, lengthy and at times horrific problem in the light of a much more peaceful Northern Ireland and a much more politically co-operative solution. When one thinks of the journeys travelled by the so-called extremists, one notes this progress is one of the great miracles of our time. Colleagues in both Houses are privileged to be in a place of political dialogue at a time when such enormous steps are being taken towards peace. When history is written, the debates on the Celtic tiger, who bred it and caused it to disappear will be regarded as pathetic little footnotes. The real script on Irish history in the 1990s and the new millennium will concern the progress we made on political developments in Northern Ireland. All parties concerned can take great credit for the difference these developments have made to people's lives.