Niall Blaney (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I have a couple of questions, taking us back to that era around when the Good Friday agreement was formed. I listened closely to what Mr. Powell said about then Prime Minister Blair and the then Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern, and he referenced the gambles they were taking. He is the fourth individual in the third meeting we have had discussing the architects of the Good Friday Agreement. There has been a theme from those who have presented. The others who presented were strongly of the opinion that people like John Hume, Seamus Mallon and David Trimble were certainly taking risks with their political careers. What is Mr. Powell's view in this regard? He referenced the prime ministers earlier. What is his view of those who took risks for the Good Friday Agreement?

How important was the American Administration in all of this? What was its role and how important was it? What key impact did both President Clinton and Senator George Mitchell have throughout the process?