Democracy is about constant vigilance. It's not straightforward, there will always be setbacks and you get particular be it religious fundamentalists, Christian fundamentalism - a partly conservative approach and actually trying to put women in a more traditional role. And we have to resist that.

The question now is how best to help the Iraqi people build a democratic and free Iraqi society that ensures respect for the rights of all Iraqis.

The UN may not be very effective but I am a fan of the idea of the United Nations. I have been there, I know the problems. To parody Winston Churchill: It is the worst system, except we don't have any other.

It's only after their death that people are truly appreciated. It's because they are true to values.

In a society where the rights and potential of women are constrained, no man can be truly free. He may have power, but he will not have freedom.

When a genocidal killing occurs, as happened in Rwanda, it is not just an internal domestic matter.

I was elected by the women of Ireland, who instead of rocking the cradle, rocked the system.