Bertie Ahern on the North
Another day for Irish politics. Another deadline.
Let’s have a quick look through the progress over the last eight years from one person’s viewpoint - An Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern.
In reverse order then, for maximum drama:
“We are today, at the very end of the 20th century, poised on the threshold of one of the most important and hopeful developments in Irish history, the full implementation of the Good Friday peace agreement” (8 years ago)
Today we stand at the threshold of a transformation in the history of this island and these islands. It is now eighteen months since the people, North and South, so overwhelmingly endorsed the Good Friday Agreement. We knew then that its implementation would not be easy, but I doubt if any of us expected so prolonged and frustrating a stalemate” (7 years 4 months ago)
“It is a cause of great disappointment to me to have to address the House in these circumstances. I know that this sense of disappointment is shared by every one of us here. Our disappointment is all the greater because the rich potential of the Good Friday Agreement has, since the establishment of the institutions in December, begun to translate itself into full reality” (7 years ago)
“The two Governments are both deeply saddened by today’s developments. We remain totally committed to the full implementation of the Agreement which has already brought great gains and tangible benefits to the people of Northern Ireland.” (4 and a half years ago)
“If there were a better way, we would have found it. But there is not. We are satisfied that the Agreement that emerged after such protracted negotiations includes the elements essential to a divided society and to building relations on and between these islands. As such, the two Governments are determined to protect it.” (3 years ago)
“Last Wednesday was an important day in the politics of Northern Ireland and I wish to take the opportunity this afternoon to explain why this was so and why it is my belief that we have reached the final, and admittedly difficult and frustrating, phase of our peace process” (2 years 3 months ago)
“Today is a momentous day for the people of this island, North and South. Finally, after many false starts, the IRA yielded to their will, as expressed in the referendum on the Good Friday Agreement”. (18 months ago)
See Related, Albeit Distantly:
• Reluctant Irish Optimism: An Agreement Coming?
• Irish Press Banned as Irish Independence Revoked
• I’m Reminded of the British Police by Valentine’s Day in the USA
Oh, and Hello, Slugger Readers
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