Sean Barrett (Independent)

I, too, welcome the Minister to the House. I agree with the sentiments expressed by Senator O'Donovan. We all wish this legislation was not necessary and that we could move on to a better Ireland. We have made substantial progress in that direction. On Tuesday last I heard the Northern Ireland Minister for Education, John O'Dowd, speaking on education matters, in relation to which no one from the other side of the House challenged him because he was an Irish Nationalist. That is the progress that has been made in Northern Ireland. Today, the Northern Ireland Minister for Finance, Sammy Wilson, attended the funeral of the former Minister for Finance in this jurisdiction, Deputy Brian Lenihan. It was stated earlier that the Fine Gael Party in west Cork invited the late Brian Lenihan to address them at Béal na mBláth.

I invite those paramilitaries persisting in this conduct to come into these Houses of Parliament. There is a diversity of membership in the Dáil such as has never existed before and there is a participation in political life in Northern Ireland such as never existed before. Why do they go so far to alienate people? They have killed members of the Gaelic Athletic Association, including Constable Ronan Kerr, whose Nationalist credentials cannot be criticised, and seriously wounded Constable Peadar Heffron, an Irish speaking member of the Police Service of Northern Ireland. These extreme Nationalists should reflect on the progress taking place throughout this country, developing the society and ensuring the different traditions respect one another and work together. Even at this late stage, I ask them to find an intermediary and to come into the political system and make this kind of legislation unnecessary. They have isolated themselves and done so much damage through their unlawful activities to so many people in this country, including people of the highest credentials. They should desist and join with some of the other groups in laying down their arms and joining the remarkable political developments on this island, which are in sharp contrast to our economic problems. I look forward to the day when this legislation will no longer be necessary.