Brian Ó Domhnaill (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

As we approach St. Patrick's Day and the Taoiseach prepares for his visit to Washington, D.C., domestic matters here require some attention from the Government, particularly matters north of the Border. I take the opportunity to congratulate the Sinn Féin party on the vote it obtained there last week, coming within a whisper of being the largest block - I think the dividing zone was 1,168 votes. There are issues which require immediate and urgent attention by both the Irish and British Governments. It is incumbent on the Irish Government to pressurise the British Government to deal with some of the legacy issues from the past which affect communities in the North of Ireland.Last week in the House I raised those issues surrounding independent, objective scrutiny and analysis of the killings during the Troubles due to collusion by British forces. The British Government seems to be wholly focused on and consumed by the issue of Brexit and all the while people in the North of Ireland probably turned out and voted in greater numbers as a result of not just the political options but the fear of a dividing wall separating our country again. For the first time since 1922, the Good Friday Agreement all but removed that dividing barrier. Now we are faced with the prospect of it being erected again. The symbolic movement of people and goods across the Border has been very beneficial to the island of Ireland and it is important that it would remain. There is a need for a new infusion of impetus by the Irish Government with regard to the issue. While the Taoiseach parades all over the world and travels to Washington, which is also important, there are domestic issues affecting Irish people, whether North or South of the Border, that require urgent attention. Take the politics out of it. Let us sit down and ensure that the British Government plays the part it should in dealing with this particular issue.