A Lasting Peace in Ireland

By Bertie Ahern

Good Friday 1998 marked a truly historic moment in the pursuit of peace in Ireland. The Agreement concluded between all of the participating parties represents a major breakthrough in terms of consolidating peace and ending thirty years of conflict.

For the first time an Agreement was created that was capable of winning strong support from both traditions in the North, from the people North and South, as well as enhancing co- operation throughout these islands. With the implementation of the full political settlement reached under the Good Friday Agreement, we have the strongest possible basis for permanent peace in Ireland, such an event has never been experienced in our history.

The Good Friday Agreement was the result of a long process of inclusive negotiations, for the first time involving representatives of all the traditions on this island; unionism, nationalism, loyalism and republicanism.

The context of the negotiations was set out at the beginning of the Agreement. In the Declaration of Support, all of the participants of the Agreement stated that they believed that there was a truly historic opportunity for a new beginning. The Declaration recognised that the tragedies of the past and their victims should never be forgotten, but could best be honoured through a fresh start dedicated to the achievement of reconciliation, tolerance, and mutual trust, and to the participation and vindication of the human rights of all.

The participants committed themselves to partnership, equality and mutual respect as the basis of all the relationships within these islands. They further reaffirmed their commitment to non- violence and pledged to work to ensure the success of each and every one of the arrangements to be established. The outcome of the negotiations, the Good Friday Agreement, addresses the key relationships on these islands, within Northern Ireland, between North and South and between Ireland and Britain, in addition to addressing the fundamental constitutional issues and all of the other issues of concern, human rights, reconciliation and the concerns of the victims of violence, economic, social and cultural issues, the decommissioning of paramilitary weapons, the normalisation of security arrangements, the future of policing and of the criminal justice system, and the release of prisoners.

The whole basis of the settlement is the recognition that we have to live together on this island, and for that we need peace, stability and reconciliation. The beliefs and opinions of both traditions must be respected and accommodated and neither can be allowed to impose its will on the other. To achieve such an accommodation involves, for everyone, changes in our ways of thinking, greater understanding and toleration and the will to build relationships across communities.

Taking all of these issues together and building one comprehensive framework provides a sound foundation on which peace can be fostered and relationships can be developed between individuals and between communities.

The principles of consent and cross- community support are central to the Good Friday Agreement. The institutions are designed to operate on a fair and cross-community basis, with all key decisions being taken on this basis. This means that the support of both traditions is required before action is taken in key areas, ensuring cross- community support for the work of the administration.

The Agreement provides for the protection of human rights to ensure that everyone is treated with respect and dignity as a human being. The central importance of equality, social, economic and cultural issues is acknowledged. Provisions have been made to recognise all identities and ensure equality, fairness and a voice for all.

The desire for a normal life, free from the pain and suffering experienced by both communities throughout the conflict, can be felt across Northern Ireland. To achieve this desire considerable change is needed. The Good
Friday Agreement sets out to bring about that change. There now exists an opportunity to achieve change and to achieve a better, more peaceful future for everyone.

The benefits of a lasting peace for both traditions in Northern Ireland, and for all the people of these islands, are immeasurable. Providing a future where children can grow up without the constant threat of violence in their lives will be a truly great accomplishment. In an environment of peace, better understanding and relationships can be developed between communities, enhancing the quality of life of everyone.

The Good Friday Agreement provides for a new beginning. Work must continue to achieve the effective bedding down and implementation of the Agreement and, through that process, the delivery of tangible benefits to all elements of society in Northern Ireland and these islands, so that, through the necessary building of confidence, a lasting peace will be consolidated and maintained and a stable framework sustained, in which prosperity and reconciliation can flourish. I believe that there is a strong desire on the part of all the parties to ensure that the promise of the Good Friday Agreement for the future of all people on this island is fully realised and that the major gains and achievements are preserved and built upon. I, and the Government I lead, are determined to work tirelessly to overcome all obstacles to the creation of a lasting peace in Ireland.

— printed with permission from Pens for Peace, The Irish Peace Institute
 

(Bertie Ahern was educated at St. Aidan's CBS, Whitehal; Rathmines College of Commerce, UCD and the London School of Economics. Qualified as an accountant before entering the Dáil in the Fianna Fáil landslide of 1977.

He was appointed as Assistant Government Whip in 1980 and Chief Whip in March 1982. He held various opposition front bench appointments in the mid-1980s before entering cabinet as Minister for Labour on the return of Fianna Fáil to government in 1987. He was a member of Dublin City Council from 1979-1991, being elected Lord Mayor in 1986.

Ahern survived the fall of the Haughey government and was promoted Minister for Finance under Albert Reynolds in November, 1991. He succeeded Albert Reynolds as leader of Fianna Fáil in November 1994. After the 1997 general election, he entered coalition with the Progressive Democrats and was elected Taoiseach on June 26, 1997.)