Niall Ó Donnghaile (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I will begin by expressing my disappointment at the seeming collapse of the talks process in the North yesterday. Despite having what appeared to be a comprehensive deal on the table, the DUP has walked away, unfortunately, and it appears that it has not been able to seal that particular deal. I will take a lead from Senator Colm Burke and agree with him that this is a time for cool heads and for respecting the delicate political situation in the North, particularly in light of the key, critical and important issues that pertain to the negotiations and the need to restore not just the devolved institutions but also the all-Ireland institutions that flow from them. The latter is a need to which Sinn Féin is fully committed.

In the most respectful, measured, collected and calm way, I want to challenge a negative narrative that may be creeping into this Chamber. I want to put a few things on the record. The key issues that pertain to the problems and the lack of an Executive in the North are primarily, but not exclusively, rights-based. Part of the reason there is no executive in the North is an ongoing litany of disrespect being shown not just to an Irish national identity or to people who choose to live their lives through the medium of Irish, but also to our LGBT citizens, our ethnic minority citizens-----