Niall Ó Donnghaile (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Ireland works best when it works together. We can see that is the case in many aspects of our lives such as sport, research and development, movements and campaigns for societal change, academia and many other fields. When it comes to the health crisis and Covid-19, it is imperative that we continue to work in unison on our planning, approaches, responses and communications. We should do so because it makes utmost sense. It is the best and most scientifically compliant way to tackle this terrible situation. Ireland is one epidemiological unit and we must treat it as such and work to respond to needs on that basis.

The Leader and her colleagues in the House know my view on the constitutional question. This is not about that issue. Rather, it is about what works best for us all. Of course, what happens in Newry impacts on Dundalk and vice versa, but what happens in Killarney also impacts on what happens in Kilkeel. That is not political; it is just the way it is. This must be about keeping people safe and saving lives. What drives this issue into a political realm is when we deny these scientific and epidemiological realities. If we can respond to crises involving animal health and food safety on an all-island "fortress Ireland" basis, then we must work to do the same for our people, families and communities.

I welcome the engagement this week between the Taoiseach and the joint heads of Government in the North. This has to be a consistent engagement going forward. Members of this Chamber, the Dáil, the Assembly and the European Parliament must all be advocates for a one-island approach on this issue. We should not shy away from it or fear it. We must champion it because it is clear that it will help to make the difference. I commend and thank again all of the front-line workers throughout the entirety of Ireland.

This issue makes all the more relevant and crucial my request to the Committee on Procedure and Privileges that the Seanad invite the First Ministers from the North to address us on issues of mutual concern, collaboration and interest. I call for a statement from the Minister for Health, Deputy Stephen Donnelly, on all-island healthcare and co-ordinating emergency responses. Ireland works best when we work together. I commit myself to working with all colleagues across the Chamber on this key matter to ensure we can deliver collaborative work that makes a difference across all of our Thirty-two Counties.