Labhrás Ó Murchú (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I would have been quite happy for the Minister to speak first. I welcome the Minister. I would have liked to have heard what the Minister said since I know he is directly involved in the process. I believe the Minister has struck a tone, which we all need to have during times of crisis and at this juncture also.

I have recently watched documentaries relating to the Troubles in Northern Ireland. The commentaries of the documentaries include the point that there was a time during the Troubles when it was felt that peace would never be achieved in Northern Ireland. During the time when efforts were being made to solve what seemed like an impossible position - because of the underlying history, politics and partisanship - President Mary McAleese said that no matter how difficult the task was it was a prize worth fighting for.

If we remember Martin McGuinness and the late Dr. Ian Paisley going about their duties within the new structures the message that came from that personal relationship absolutely surprised many people at the time. In a lot of ways it gave us back a faith in human nature - that we can all respect each other while at the same time not necessarily changing our narrative just to be patronising towards somebody else. They proved that it could be done. As they travelled through the world, and particularly in the United States of America which had played a direct role in the evolution of the peace process with President Clinton's hands-on involvement, they saw democracy and diplomacy working for the good of all the people, while having different positions historically.

We should not be surprised that developments as good as the peace process, the Good Friday Agreement and the exceptional structures which are in place would not have some hiccups and glitches. It is said that this crisis is bigger than anything we have had since the Agreement was brought into being and the structures were put in place. However, when one looks at Irish history post 1916, post the War of Independence of the 1920s, and post Civil War, on each occasion there was residue left which had to be attended to. Terrible atrocities were committed in those years and yet people realised that peace is the starting point for any quality of life. People yearn for peace.

When Derry hosted the 2013 Fleadh Ceoil, 430,000 people turned up. I recall walking down the streets and people who may have known my connection with the fleadh stopping and saying to me how grateful they were that they could feel and sense normality even for one week. The sentiment was echoed by Nell McCafferty on radio. She said it was the first time in over 30 years there was a smile on the face of the people of Derry. That is the prize we talk about.

We did take our eye off the ball. I would have preferred to see Northern Ireland debated in this House more often, but the feeling seems to be that once the structures were put in place then that was the end of the Republic’s involvement. However, we are the co-guarantor of the Good Friday Agreement and we should be having a debate, not about the issues that divide us but about the issues which unite us. There are many opportunities, some of which we see in cross-Border co-operation. An Taoiseach and the UK Prime Minister should meet to discuss issues because the Agreement needs to be tied down and copper-fastened. A meeting between David Cameron and An Taoiseach at this time could be helpful. This would not take from Minister Charles Flanagan’s status or involvement, I know he will do a good job. Against a background of good relationships, which includes the visits by the Queen and Prince Charles, we are in a different position now than we ever were before.

It is worrying that given the atmosphere of elections in which we now find ourselves, the main thrust and focus of what we should be doing could easily get lost during electioneering in the North and South. It may be unintentional but we should be cautious to protect what has been achieved by so many people who have invested in the process. In a crisis we need to remind ourselves of Martin McGuinness and Dr. Paisley and the manner in which they worked together. From my own limited knowledge of Northern Ireland I know that the average person wants this crisis resolved. People want to return to real politics and they want democracy to be supreme. If other issues need to be dealt with then there is the police force to deal with those. The Republic’s tone going forward should be to cultivate, save and enhance the peace process and to develop closer relationships North and South. Above all else we should not lose the great progress which has been made in the relationship between Ireland and Britain.