Trevor Ó Clochartaigh (Sinn Fein)

Ní hé an reifreann seo an t-aon reifreann a raibh caint air le linn an deireadh seachtaine. Go deimhin, bhí díospóireacht ag tosnú maidir le reifreann ó thaobh aontacht na hÉireann chomh maith. The potential referendum on the new EU treaty is not the only referendum that has been discussed in the broader public domain recently. Senator Paul Bradford referred to the possibility of a plebiscite on the future status of Northern Ireland, an issue which should form part of the debate we have called for on Northern Ireland.

We have seen several significant developments in recent times, with the First Minister, Mr. Peter Robinson, recently attending a GAA match and the Deputy First Minister, Mr. Martin McGuinness, undertaking to attend a Northern Ireland match and support the players in green jerseys. In addition, the announcement that Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann will be held for the first time in the Six Counties, in Derry, is very welcome. The presentations to this House by Ms Mary Robinson and Mr. Maurice Manning were fantastic occasions. It was mentioned in the early days of this Seanad that we might invite the First Minister and Deputy First Minister to the Chamber. Such an invitation would be an ideal context for the debate on the future of Northern Ireland. It would give us an opportunity to discuss all of the useful co-operation that is taking place. There is some fantastic co-operation taking place in respect of waterways, agriculture, sport, culture, language and so on. It would be fitting to convey this to the First Minister and to do so in the context of a debate with him in this House on Northern Ireland and the future of this island. We could also during such debate discuss the possibility of a united Ireland and a referendum in that regard. Ba mhaith liom iarraidh arís ar an gCeannaire soiléiriú a thabhairt dúinn an bhfuil an cuireadh sin tugtha cheana don Chéad Aire agus don Leas-Chéad Aire, agus muna bhfuil, an bhfuil sé i gceist aige sin a dhéanamh agus cén sórt scála ama atá i gceist?