Efforts to resolve Anglo-Irish differences
Barry asked whether both governments were making determined efforts to resolve difficulties under the Agreement. Lenihan said he was satisfied and urged a steady, responsible approach.
The communique states that the Taoiseach and the Prime Minister must, with determination and imagination, try to resolve the difficulties that will arise under the agreement and I should like to know if the Minister is satisfied that the Government are doing that.
Comment on this
All Members have adopted a very responsible approach to this matter. We all accept it is a very difficult juncture but that it is one we can resolve if we adopt a steady attitude towards this matter. I am seeking to do that, as is the Taoiseach, and I respect the fact that the leaders of all the parties who have spoken in the House this afternoon want to do that. I respect the fact that the leaders of the minority constitutional party in Northern Ireland, the SDLP, are of the same view and that the British Government, and the Opposition in Westminster, take the view. We should try to make progress when there is, in my view, a broad area of agreement. The one heartening thing at present is that there is a broad area of agreement. We should seek to work on that and ensure that the process which is now working and marks a very interesting development in Anglo-Irish relations and, above all else, in inter-community relations in Northern Ireland, is allowed to flourish.