Mark Dearey (Green Party)

I support the requests for a debate on foot of today's publication of the Saville report and the Prime Minister Mr. Cameron's statements thereon, which I believe will be delivered in approximately half an hour's time in the House of Commons in England. Moreover, I ask for such a debate at the earliest possible time. Were it to take place next week, it would be most timely. I ask for this is because I believe the Widgery report in particular must be completely countermanded. It added enormous insult to enormous injury at that time. While I was a very young child then, I remember well the day itself and the way in which it led to a sequence of events that took many decades to unfold. It was a pivotal moment in the history of the Troubles and of this island. Mr. Denis Bradley this morning described Derry as being in an almost liturgical state today, as the people went through the ritual of closure, which I certainly hope today will bring. I hope the remarks later on by the Prime Minister, Mr. Cameron will bring this about and that the report will exonerate those who were so badly blighted by Widgery and others subsequently. I call for a debate as soon as possible. Members must acknowledge the importance of the report by holding this debate very soon.

I also welcome last week's vote on the Croke Park agreement by SIPTU and IMPACT, which were the big two unions which in all likelihood would swing the deal's acceptance or rejection. Many smaller unions decided to reject the agreement but the scale of its acceptance by the members of IMPACT and SIPTU is to be welcomed. It continues to demonstrate a clarity of purpose as we try to address the public finance deficits and to bring about the public services reforms the OECD recognises are needed. I call for further debate on the post-Croke Park deal scenario as soon as possible.