On the Northern Ireland question, for instance, the British and Irish governments prohibit media contact with members of the IRA, but we have always gone ahead, believing in the right to information.

I wrote in the book very specifically what I wanted to write about, period, and left it at.

There was no equal pay law when I started working. I was no different to any other woman in any other job at the time.

I also read modern novels - I have just had to read 60 as I am one of the judges for the Orange Fiction Prize.

On the Northern Ireland question, for instance, the British and Irish governments prohibit media contact with members of the IRA, but we have always gone ahead, believing in the right to information.

I have never been attracted to any kind of violence.

I have no time for the endless nostalgia: 'Oh gosh I used to . . . ' Life is too short; I don't have any time for sitting and saying I miss things. What's the point? Go and do something else.'