Niall Ó Brolcháin (Green Party)

I welcome the words of Senator Bradford, especially coming from a member of the Fine Gael Party. This is something we need to consider on all sides of the House. It would be good to have a debate on the need for consensus. In this regard, I pay tribute to two brave men: Mr. Alan Dukes and Mr. John Hume. Mr. Dukes came up with the Tallaght strategy in the 1980s, when I was growing up, and should always be remembered for this major contribution to the country. It was a brave contribution and although it may not have garnered the thanks, politically, that some would have liked, it took us out of an economic tailspin. New thinking is called for. Therefore, the proposals coming from all sides of the House should be welcomed. Mr. Hume was always quoted as saying no one had anything to fear from agreement. That is what a consensus is: agreement by all parties. Senator Harris made an interesting comparison with the New Ireland Forum, a good model which should be examined as part of this debate. The one thing to be said about the forum is that it did include all parties. We should include not only members of the two Government parties and the two main Opposition parties but all Members of the House, including Sinn Féin and Independent Members. Consensus should mean consensus; it should not mean some are in and others are out. We need to band together to get the country back on track. Therefore, I would like to see such a debate.