Frank Feighan (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The Republic of Ireland Act came into force on this day 69 years ago. This Act declared a republic, because of which we were automatically excluded from the Commonwealth. Two weeks later, the rules were changed to allow republics to be members of the Commonwealth. India availed of that but we did not. That is for another day.

I attended the Goliath Trust gala in the Europa Hotel in Belfast last Wednesday. It is helping to tackle educational disadvantage and lack of achievement in Northern Ireland. It was a wonderful night with various people from all backgrounds coming together to tackle educational disadvantage in Northern Ireland. One aspect of the night caught me unawares. Sometimes the political parties are unaware. I am referring to Bertie Ahern's speech. He said one thing to the two main parties in Northern Ireland, which was to stop the messing. It was greeted with a round of applause from the 500 people there.

I would send a warning to the two main political parties in Northern Ireland. Sometimes in politics, we are behind the curve. That night and Bertie's few words were greeted well. He sounded a warning. Perhaps it is now time to get together, particularly on the 20th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement. I was in Queen's University the previous day. The Agreement was something we should celebrate. Perhaps it is a wake-up call. I understand there are issues but it could be a wake-up call to the two main parties, as Bertie said, to stop the messing. It is not often that I agree with Bertie Ahern but on this occasion, he got it absolutely right. The reaction of the crowd at the gala told me that the people in Northern Ireland want the assembly to sit. I hope the two main parties can come together with all other parties to set up the Stormont assembly again.