Labhrás Ó Murchú (Fianna Fail)

The Seanad played a significant role in the work that led up to the peace process, about which we are all so pleased. It held regular and balanced debates and many of the contributions we heard were based on the personal experience of Members from their interaction with their counterparts in the North and its different traditions. The achievements which have flowed from the peace process and Good Friday Agreement are exceptionally encouraging. Members are involved in cross-Border committees, interparliamentary meetings and so forth and have learned that we share common problems. Unemployment, for example, is common to both parts of the island. Both jurisdictions have vulnerable members of the community and both must defend their position internationally. These are common issues and it would be exceptionally helpful, in light of the role the Seanad played in the peace process, if the Leader were to consider establishing a process under which we would invite people from different political persuasions to the House for a debate.

I was particularly gratified to receive a letter from the First and Deputy First Ministers, Peter Robinson and Martin McGuinness. The leader of the Social Democratic and Labour Party has also been in touch with me. I recently travelled to Derry where I attended a meeting at which representatives of all the political groupings, the chamber of commerce and the integration committee were present alongside the local police commander. Not long ago, we could not have foreseen such an event in our wildest dreams. Let us build on this. I thank Senator Moran for raising the issue which is not about Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann or the Fleadh Cheoil but the opportunities available to the entire island at present. We all accept there is a completely new dispensation between this island, the United Kingdom, the rest of Europe and the world at present. Would it not be great if this House, which is so capable in this regard, tried to formalise that in some way? It will probably not happen in the Dáil. That is no reflection on the Dáil but this is the House to do it. I urge the Leader, who played such a significant role in those debates over the past 15 or 20 years, to consider whether there is a way we could take it forward one step further. Again, I thank Senator Moran for raising that matter.