THE Leader of the House, Mr Maurice Manning, expressed satisfaction with the Tanaiste's analysis and command of the complexities of Northern Ireland. His lengthy and detailed speech had given members a clear view of the difficulties involved.
Fianna Fail's Mr Michael O'Kennedy, regretted that the debate had not been allowed before the ceasefire broke at a time when the climate would have allowed us to speak more freely in support of positive developments.
Mr David Norris (Ind) reminded members of the words of their late colleague, Gordon Wilson, who often said that "dirty words would not advance the cause of peace". Nevertheless, he said, it was now a time for straight talking and the unutterable filth of the deeds perpetrated in all their names by people immune to democratic feelings which must inevitably "sully with the dirt of murder and betrayal whatever is said".
Perhaps the tragedies of the past two weeks have brought people a step closer to reality, Mr Feargal Quinn (Ind) said. "No neat settlement is going to fall quickly out from this process or from any other. Talks will not produce agreement. They will very rapidly produce disagreement, but I see that as positive.
"When we have the disagreements fully on the table, then we will perhaps begin to realise the true scale of the problem and if a settlement comes, it will not be on the basis of anybody's present entrenched position".
Mr Shane Ross (FG) said "Sinn Fein has fooled everyone. It has fooled John Home, Albert Reynolds and made an ass of the US Ambassador, Mrs Jean Kennedy Smith. It has even made the President of the United States look stupid. Let us learn from the lessons of the so called peace process and never trust Sinn Fein again."
The statements were adjourned until later today. The House adjourned until 10.30 this morning.