But I also hold the very strong view that republicans need to lead by example.

The Good Friday Agreement and the basic rights and entitlements of citizens that are enshrined within it must be defended and actively promoted by London and Dublin.

We can be revisionist, and that's a good thing to be at times, but we shouldn't airbrush our history, so we can only make judgments in the objective conditions of that time.

In the past I have defended the right of the IRA to engage in armed struggle. I did so because there was no alternative for those who would not bend the knee, or turn a blind eye to oppression, or for those who wanted a national republic.

It's hard to think of a 16-month child being anything other than a delight to be around.

The days of humiliation, of second-class citizens and of inequality are over and gone forever.

We have to make sure the Good Friday Agreement works.