Niall Ó Donnghaile (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Gabhaim céad míle buíochas leis an gCathaoirleach agus leis an gCeannaire fosta. It was a big weekend for Antrim Gaels and not just because the team beat Clare in the hurling. I say that for the benefit of Senator Conway. Nevertheless it was a big weekend because Saturday's edition of theIrish Newspublished an open letter to An Taoiseach and the Irish Government from 3,000 Antrim Gaels, including current and former hurlers, footballers, camógs, ladies' footballers and those involved in clubs in the county, which called for the commencement of plans for an agreed and shared Ireland. This is but one of a range of initiatives that has been taken by the people involved, from right across Irish life, on this live and important topic. They have called for the establishment of an all-Ireland citizens' assembly that reflects the views of citizens North and South to achieve maximum consensus on the way forward. I commend them on playing that leading role both on the pitch at the weekend and in terms of this conversation and the actions that are required as we all collectively move forward.

As I will not have an opportunity to speak on the Order of Business tomorrow, I wish to send solidarity and best wishes to many of my friends and fellow Belfast citizens, who are collectively now known as the Ballymurphy massacre families. The coroner's inquest, for which the families have waited for more than 50 years, is due to be published tomorrow. That comes after a decades-long fight and campaign by the families to discover truth and justice for their loved ones and to learn what happened over two nights in Ballymurphy in 1971. My thoughts are with them. I took part in a cross-group delegation from the Seanad that visited the inquest and sat in for a period. As the Cathaoirleach reflected last week, I do not think anyone could be anything but deeply moved both by hearing the recall of the events of that time and by the dignified and graceful way in which those families have carried themselves. I am very conscious of them, today especially, and wish them every success and best wish going forward.

In conclusion, I draw Members' attention to the worsening situation in the Sheikh Jarrah neighbourhood of east Jerusalem. I am sure that many colleagues will have seen some of the reports over the course of the weekend. It would be timely if we had statements from the Minister for Foreign Affairs on the situation, in particular what the State plans to do, given its position on the UN Security Council, to assist in bringing a positive resolution and support to the people who are suffering there at present.