Rose Conway Walsh (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I want to bring to the attention of the Seanad a letter published in yesterday's edition of The Irish Postthat was signed by more than 200 members of civic nationalism. The letter expresses the frustration and abandonment felt by the nationalist community at the repeated failure by the British Government to implement all aspects of previous agreements. It is deeply worrying for the nationalist community that, as aspects of Brexit are negotiated in Brussels and elsewhere, much of the content and detail of the agreement relies on the British Government implementing it because the British Government does not have good form in this regard.

The letter was signed by citizens from the worlds of sport, law, academia, community, business, education and the media. The reality is that nationalists in Ireland no longer look to Westminster for leadership or direction on the issues concerning them. They are increasingly looking to the Dublin Government to provide leadership. The result of the two elections this year made that abundantly clear when Sinn Féin was given an increased mandate for its explicit abstinence policy.

Many of these people see the impact of the failure to implement previous agreements in their professional lives. Lawyers have witnessed the impact that delayed inquests and inquiries have on the relatives of those killed and injured in the conflict. The letter states:

This is most recently instanced in the British Government's refusal to move on the legacy inquest rights. The Conservative Party's political pact with the DUP has now become a grave threat to political progress.

This letter should be viewed as an indication that nationalists and republicans want to see the institutions restored and working.

In terms of some of the simple and nonsensical debate around why the institutions do not just get up and running, the institutions are no use to anyone unless they are underpinned by equality and parity of esteem and this must be part of a rights-based society. There is no point in restoring the institutions if they fail to provide the rights of citizens that are available across these islands. The Irish Government needs to be proactive on the issue. The current crisis has come about due to the actions of the DUP and the Tory Party. By convening the intergovernmental conference immediately, pressure can be directly placed on the British not to capitulate to regressive elements and to deliver the rights and protections for citizens that could see the institutions restored again.

The Taoiseach spoke last week of the Irish Government never again abandoning Northern nationalists. They have stated clearly what is now needed and the Taoiseach must heed it and act. Notwithstanding having learned today that the Taoiseach will be coming into the Chamber in February, I ask that he attends in the new year and discusses how he intends to put these welcome words of never again abandoning Northern nationalists into action. It is important that the Taoiseach attends the House. However, this is a substantive issue in itself and I would welcome the Taoiseach attending to discuss that element purely with us and how he will implement what he said.