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Dáil
‹ Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation

Garvaghy Road tensions and unity

Summary

Deputy Ó Murchú condemns the situation surrounding the Garvaghy Road march, recalls victims of violence and urges continued engagement with Britain and progress on Irish unity. The Tánaiste says the issue has attention at senior governmental and official levels and calls for calm and a resolution.

I commend the community of Garvaghy Road on their courage and resilience against what we hope is one of the last pangs of Orange supremacism and triumphalism. Political unionism really needs to take a look at itself. Is this the road it wants to go down? None of the rest of us want to see that. I would include in that many within the unionist community and even probably many within the Orange Order.

We think of the realities of this march. We have seen and heard from the families of Michael McGoldrick, Robert Hamill and Rosemary Nelson and that makes it very real. I also think about the likes of Sean Brown, Philip Allen and Damien Trainor at Poyntzpass, and Elizabeth O'Neill. I do not think any of us can forget the Quinn children, and that is what it took to stop the march in 1998.

There are questions for the Parades Commission on its disgraceful action. The PSNI has questions to answer in relation to its security assessment, which was found to be-----

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John McGuinness An Leas-Cheann Comhairle Fianna Fáil

Conclude, Deputy Ó Murchú.

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It was found to be farcical. I ask that the Tánaiste would continue his engagement with the British Government.

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John McGuinness An Leas-Cheann Comhairle Fianna Fáil

Thank you, Deputy.

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I am always afraid about a new Administration. At times, I am not always sure that they understand the entire history.

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John McGuinness An Leas-Cheann Comhairle Fianna Fáil

Deputy, you are past the time. The Tanáiste to respond.

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I have commended the Tánaiste before on his roadmap for Irish unity.

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John McGuinness An Leas-Cheann Comhairle Fianna Fáil

Deputy Ó Murchú, you have gone way over your time.

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I believe we need to keep that work going. I would ask about that and also about how the Tánaiste can put that into action in government because that is necessary and I do not think enough has been done.

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Simon Harris The Tánaiste Fine Gael

It is rare the Deputy commends me.

I thank Deputy Ó Murchú for raising, obviously, a very serious issue. The issue in relation to Garvaghy is receiving, as it rightly should, attention at all levels of government, right up to the most senior levels, and at all levels across officialdom as well, including the engagement of Irish officials on the ground, including engagement with the Deputy's party and others.

I would just repeat the call for everybody to work towards calm and a resolution. Nobody wants to see the progress that has been hard won go backwards or be lost in any manner or means, and the Deputy has highlighted and reminded the House of the very serious trauma and loss of life that has been experienced in the past. The North is at a very different place, a much better place. We never want to go back and I hope the talks that will recommence today can make progress.

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