Senator Mullen should show more respect to the Chair. He had two minutes and used three. One of these days I will walk out for 30 minutes and abandon the Order of Business because Senators on all sides are showing less and less respect for the Chair.

I apologise, a Chathaoirligh.

This week has been a particularly challenging time for members of my party, our supporters and most people across this island and beyond, following the loss of our dear friend and colleague, Martin McGuinness. Members made statements in the House last week but, unfortunately, I was not able to attend. I was in Derry with Martin's clan and I was very proud to stand with them. I pay personal thanks to the Cathaoirleach for travelling to Derry with the many tens of thousands who came to show their appreciation, thanks, respect and love for Martin for his work over many years.

I wonder whether the points raised by Senator O'Sullivan earlier arose from the fact that he and his party are so removed from the situation in the North. I suspect there are more cynical reasons but there is no one in this House who will accuse members of my party of not having stretched themselves, reached out the hand of friendship and in some cases put our lives on the line, not least in the form of Martin McGuinness, to advance this peace and political process and to ensure there is respect, equality and integrity for all our citizens. We certainly will not take any lectures on this matter.

For once I agree with Senator Ned O'Sullivan because we need the Taoiseach to address us on this very important issue. The negotiations have not yet reached a conclusion, but I am encouraged by the remark of our leader in the North, Michelle O'Neill, that we want to continue to talk. That is important and what the people want. What they want, expressed most clearly in the election, are institutions that will function on the basis of commitments and agreements already reached. The Government signed up to the institutions and are co-guarantors. If it cannot stand up for Acht na Gaeilge and a Bill of Rights and face down a negative veto on the grounds of national security by the British Government that is prohibiting investigations from taking place into and conclusions being reached on matters such as the Dublin and Monaghan bombings, the case of Pat Finucane and the McGurk's Bar bombing, I am not quite sure what its role as co-guarantor entails. The British Secretary of State has said in the House of Commons today that he is considering all options in the process in the North. It is past time that we heard from the Government on the options it is considering.

As Senator Niall Ó Donnghaile said, there is a narrow window to agree to power-sharing in the North. As the political leaders have still not resolved their differences, the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Mr. James Brokenshire, could call another election or reintroduce direct rule. I understand all parties are working as closely as possible, but I am disappointed. I was at the funeral of Martin McGuinness last week when there was a symbolic political moment when the people in the church on the Bogside gave a very warm welcome to and applauded the leader of the DUP. It showed a huge degree of dignity and grace and I hope that good will and good feeling can be carried into the negotiations. We still have to work together.

Bill Clinton thanked the Taoiseach for what he had said in the United States on St. Patrick's Day on behalf of the undocumented Irish. It was incredible that we had an ex-President who was very close to the peace process acknowledging the Taoiseach's role. I repeat that the media in the Republic of Ireland did a great disservice to the words of the Taoiseach in the White House. The story eventually broke when Channel 4 in the United Kingdom and the New York Times reported on how significant it was. Where were the members of the Irish media? They had one agenda, which was to say the St. Patrick's Day visit to the United States had been a failure. It was not; it was one of the great successes. The Taoiseach spoke on behalf of the undocumented Irish and great progress is being made on their behalf in the United States. I hope it will continue to be made.