I'm one of these very focused people when it comes to day-to-day work, and I'm trying not to think about what comes next so that I can stay very focused on what I'm doing now.

The need for peace in Northern Ireland goes well beyond political stability. It now speaks to regional Europe and even global stability.

In the aftermath of September 11, and as the 9/11 Commission report so aptly demonstrates, it is clear that our intelligence system is not working the way that it should.

I've gone to work, I've raised a child, and I've spent 30 years trying to better the lives of children and families. But I often return to one thing I said way back then - that politics is the art of making possible what appears to be impossible.

I have said publicly no option should be off the table, but I would certainly take nuclear weapons off the table.

I think that trade is an important issue. Of course, we are 5 percent of the world's population; we have to trade with the other 95 percent. And we need to have smart, fair trade deals.

Do what is necessary to be resilient. You will get knocked down. What matters is that you get back up.