Paul Bradford (Renua Ireland) | Oireachtas source

I heard many of my colleagues call for a debate on Northern Ireland in the light of the publication of two important reports yesterday. I certainly support their request. When we reflect on the difficulties on that part of the island which are profound and serious, we must remember that the starting point is that for the past 21 years or thereabouts we have had relative peace in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. We are, therefore, starting from a positive perspective. Not too many Members of this or the other House served when we had a daily diet of bombs, bullets, murders, condemnation, hopelessness and despair. Therefore, let us not forget that we have moved a long way and that people on all sides and none have been responsible for this. That must be the starting point. There are very profound troubles to be addressed, but I have often made the point that if we can ensure the current generation, particularly in Northern Ireland, at least stops killing each other, perhaps the next might grow closer and that there will be a stronger community ethos and stronger and more normal politics. That is what we must aim for. The reports are significant and perhaps serious, but they are not really surprising because they simply tell us what we know. We have been walking and dancing on egg shells for the past ten, 12 or 15 years so as not to cause difficulties, but we are reaching a stage where we must be a little more blunt in our analysis and discussions. We will want to hear much more from Sinn Féin about its relationship or otherwise with the army council-----