The Deputy Leader may have noted a statement by business leaders in the North this morning calling on the parties to work together to restore devolved government. They stated that stable government was needed to guarantee peace, to attract investment, to deliver job creation and to advance social progress. I support that statement and their call on the political parties in the North to get together and work together to get devolved government back on track.

The alternative, as every Member here will know, is shocking. It will be the return of direct British rule into this country, something that I and most people here would see as a retrograde step. There are always differences in politics, but the differences dividing the two main parties fade into insignificance when one thinks of the reality of the reintroduction of British rule into this country. I call on the main parties there to do what politicians are meant to do and work out a deal. It is not easy to work out a deal especially when they do not have the support-----

Like on water.

Without interruption, I hope, a Chathaoirligh.

The last time I spoke on the North here, I was chastised by Sinn Féin Members as if I had no right to speak on the North. I am very proud of the record of my people and my background in getting the British out of our part of the country.

They left the Six Counties behind them.

They will be back.

I will not stand silent here when other people are in a position to keep British direct rule out of the North. I call on them to work for that.

And the Irish and British Governments.

It is not easy. It was not easy for Fianna Fáil to go into a confidence and supply agreement with Fine Gael. It was not easy for Fine Gael to accept it and to have to trim its sails, but that is the reality of politics. It is time to grow up. We cannot be calling on the British Prime Minister, the American President and everybody else around the world to jump to attention. It must be done for ourselves. I emphasise that expression.