When others stood idly by, you and your families gave your all, in defence of a risen people and in pursuit of Irish freedom and unity.

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 have to make sure the Good Friday Agreement works.

Making peace, I have found, is much harder than making war.

When others stood idly by, you and your families gave your all, in defence of a risen people and in pursuit of Irish freedom and unity.

A real possibility now exists for a Government that is not led by either Fine Gael or Fianna Fáil

Your determination, selflessness and courage have brought the freedom struggle towards its fulfillment.