Martin Conway (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Our group supports the Order of Business as outlined by the Leader. I welcome the Bulgarian ambassador and wish her every joy and happiness in celebrating Bulgaria's national day. I acknowledge the great friendship that exists between our two countries. May it continue and flourish.

It is also great to see the British ambassador, Mr. Johnston, and Mr. Wilmshurst here again. We work very well with them. I am looking forward to a very productive weekend in Belfast at the British-Irish Parliamentary Assembly. The meeting in plenary session that will take place this weekend and into early next week is coming at a critical time, not only for Irish-British relations but also for European, British and Irish relations. The deal outlined in the Windsor Framework is excellent for Northern Ireland. Anything that is good for Northern Ireland is good for Ireland.I encourage all parties to study the deal, to put forward whatever questions they feel need to be asked and to get whatever clarifications are required. I ask them to do so in a timely manner. There is no point in any more delay.

It is reasonable to take time to study these things because they are important but the institutions in Northern Ireland need to be established without delay. The people of Northern Ireland deserve to have their democracy respected, to have their institutions operating and to have normal life resume. The future between our country and the United Kingdom and between the United Kingdom and Europe will prosper and blossom. Nobody here wanted Brexit but we must try to foster the best possible relationships post Brexit. We are doing that in a manner that is friendly, supportive, neighbourly and in the best interests of all our citizens. The Windsor Framework is the result of a lot of hard work and dedication on the part of many people. I acknowledge the role of our Government, the Taoiseach, the Tánaiste and the former Minister for Foreign Affairs in putting together the agreement.

I also raise a matter relating to Clare GAA. I support its initiative to support people who are suffering from addiction problems. There have already been a number of meetings, and more are planned, to engage with these issues head-on. It is a great initiative. It is something the GAA should do and I commend the GAA in Clare for doing it. The GAA nationally should be doing this type of thing. The GAA is a national structure with clubs in every single parish in this country. When it comes to important issues that affect our citizens' health, the GAA has a key role to play. Clare GAA is leading the way and I commend it.