Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

As the Lord Mayor stated, this is about collaborating and developing links. It is also about recognising that Belfast has made a significant journey in terms of peace and reconciliation, its economic development and its people. That is to be welcomed. We all recognise that the peace that has been won cannot be taken lightly. The Lord Mayor remarked on engaging with people. I hope that all of us can engage further in ensuring that the peace is cemented for the next generation. None of us wants to return to the days of waking up to news reports of killings on both sides of the divide. We hope those days are gone and will never come back.

The Lord Mayor spoke about the unique quality of the Seanad. She certainly saw part of it before her address in terms of some of the carry-on.