Erin McGreehan (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank everyone for their contributions to this debate. I cannot put into words how proud I am to stand here to speak about the Good Friday Agreement. I was 16 when that agreement was voted through. We stood so tall and proud in this country when we succeeded in that. I remember thinking it would never be possible. It is an overwhelming experience to be able to stand here with people like Senator McDowell, and with all Senators, to speak about this.

Turning to Senator McDowell, my criticism of politics in the North was inclusive of all failures. I criticised the three-year gap of being in government, a criticism I believe is fair. We are planning for the future. The shared island unit is planning for the future. The Minister of State outlined the research that is ongoing. The National Economic and Social Council, NESC, is conducting research and must report back to our Taoiseach with a strategic policy on how we work on an all-Ireland economy through building links and how best we move forward on an all-Ireland basis. This is about how we can move forward, converge our jurisdictions and make links that would make it possible for us to work together. I do not know what preparation for united Ireland is if that is not it. This is about creating a framework for dialogue and for bringing everybody in. Tell me if there is anything there that I am missing. The future is bright for Ireland and it is down to us all to work together.We have consensus in this House today that the future is through the Good Friday Agreement, through a shared island and through talking. I thank the Cathaoirelach.