Eugene Murphy (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Listening to the many contributions, it has been very interesting to study them all. There is quite a consensus around the place with regard to what we are discussing. Northern Ireland is at a very delicate stage. We, as a nation, need to be careful and proceed with great caution. The Good Friday Agreement is the only show in town. We must not play around, for any political reason, with the future of our island. We have had many setbacks in recent times. The shared island unit is of huge significance. For the first time there is a dedicated unit, the primary focus of which is to work to improve the lives of all on the island. We create opportunities through trust and through dialogue. This will lead to a happy and prosperous future for us all.

I compliment the Taoiseach, Micheál Martin, who has driven this idea with great enthusiasm. This party wants peace and prosperity in this land, as do most people.We must at all times reject sectarian violence. I urge all of those who want to stir things up not to do so.

The recent three-year suspension of the institutions of the Good Friday Agreement, and the dysfunction of the years leading up to the suspension, caused the most serious damage, which must be repaired. Brexit causes further challenges. The challenge is certainly not helped by the curious actions of the British Government. The impact of Brexit risks a political instability, and the lingering threat of violence presents very fresh challenges. I refer to the Taoiseach's comments some months ago when he said:

The Agreement is the indispensable framework for our political relationships. It is the foundation stone upon which we build.

The shared island fund is €500 million and is available over the next four years. The fund will give the island of Ireland new opportunities on a North-South basis. In that regard, I welcome the recent announcement about the Ulster Canal. The programme for Government clearly commits to working towards a consensus on a shared island. The establishment of the shared island unit will examine the political, social, economic and cultural considerations underpinning a future in which all traditions are mutually respected.

In a very strange way, the sense of despair expressed to me by many people recently about the latest events in Northern Ireland gave me confidence because people understand how sacred the Good Friday Agreement is. The fear of any return to bad times is uppermost in their minds. It must be remembered that a border poll will take place at some stage, but we must not push a border poll to the fore and certainly not now. It could have dangerous consequences and could lead to a most negative reaction, which we could live to regret.

I will conclude with words from Senator Michael McDowell who said recently that the border poll will come, but that right now we must concentrate on reconciliation.