What were once only hopes for the future have now come to pass; it is almost exactly 13 years since the overwhelming majority of people in Ireland and Northern Ireland voted in favour of the agreement signed on Good Friday 1998, paving the way for Northern Ireland to become the exciting and inspirational place that it is today.

Families, friends and communities often find a source of courage rising up from within. Indeed, sadly, it seems that it is tragedy that often draws out the most and the best from the human spirit.

To all those who have suffered as a consequence of our troubled past I extend my sincere thoughts and deep sympathy. With the benefit of historical hindsight we can all see things which we would wish had been done differently or not at all.

These wretched babies don't come until they are ready.

Good memories are our second chance at happiness.

Like all the best families, we have our share of eccentricities, of impetuous and wayward youngsters and of family disagreements.

The upward course of a nation's history is due in the long run to the soundness of heart of its average men and women