Before I call on Senator Niall Ó Donnghaile, I would like to welcome a former Member of this House and current Member of the Lower House, Deputy Darragh O'Brien. It is nice that he has come back to show respect to this Chamber again.

I will begin by expressing my disappointment at the seeming collapse of the talks process in the North yesterday. Despite having what appeared to be a comprehensive deal on the table, the DUP has walked away, unfortunately, and it appears that it has not been able to seal that particular deal. I will take a lead from Senator Colm Burke and agree with him that this is a time for cool heads and for respecting the delicate political situation in the North, particularly in light of the key, critical and important issues that pertain to the negotiations and the need to restore not just the devolved institutions but also the all-Ireland institutions that flow from them. The latter is a need to which Sinn Féin is fully committed.

In the most respectful, measured, collected and calm way, I want to challenge a negative narrative that may be creeping into this Chamber. I want to put a few things on the record. The key issues that pertain to the problems and the lack of an Executive in the North are primarily, but not exclusively, rights-based. Part of the reason there is no executive in the North is an ongoing litany of disrespect being shown not just to an Irish national identity or to people who choose to live their lives through the medium of Irish, but also to our LGBT citizens, our ethnic minority citizens-----

These issues could be dealt with if there was an assembly, no problem.

That displays the highest level of ignorance yet because, unfortunately, despite the majority of the Assembly voting for marriage equality in the past, one party blocked it. This notion of two problem parties being as bad as each other-----

Then it is as bad to appear to do it again

Allow me to correct the record.

I ask Senator Norris to allow Senator Ó Donnghaile to speak. He is running out of time as a result of interruptions.

I will be very quick. The Irish language is one issue. The rights that are envisaged there are available to everyone in this State and to people in Scotland and Wales as well. Marriage equality is another issue that a majority of MLAs support, just as a majority support Acht na Gaeilge. It dispels this myth of two problem parties being the issue.

We need access to funding for legacy inquests. Some victims in the North have been waiting 40 years. Their grandchildren now have to take on the mantle of campaigning for inquests. An inquest is the most basic of rights when someone loses his or her life. People are trying to cite national security to prevent the release of funding for that. Again, it is not down to two problem parties. I wanted to correct the record in the calmest possible way. If we are serious about getting the institutions back up and running, all of us should follow the lead of Senator Colm Burke and remain measured and calm. It is very politically important to remain factual and truthful in this.

Well said.