Ned O'Sullivan (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I support his call for a debate on Northern Ireland. I am glad he raised this issue because it has concerned me, as well the general public, for quite some time. With all due deference to my colleagues, Senators Mary White and Mark Daly, among others, doing great work on the Good Friday Agreement committee, we are sleepwalking through the situation in Northern Ireland. I have been following the North closely and believe it is a very fragile situation there. It is far more serious than we think. Although the focus is rightly on the terrible incident involving Ms Cahill, for which I hope she will get full justice, there is a dysfunction in governing there. Whatever about the Government here, we can have our rows and ructions between Fine Gael and Labour but they will still work together in some shape or form for what they believe is the good of the country. The two parties in the North in government cannot even look at each other.

This peace process is not finished. The actual term “peace process” has become totally devalued and we need to forget it. We need to have a fresh look at it with a new impetus from the Taoiseach, Deputy Enda Kenny. It is the one area in which he is not particularly proactive. It is important the Taoiseach of the day should give leadership. All taoisigh, going right back to W.T. Cosgrave, have shown leadership on the North. I was very shocked to hear W.T. Cosgrave’s grave was desecrated. It is an absolute disgrace because he and his family have given tremendous service to this country.