Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The Senator is very welcome. Some years ago, he spoke in person at this committee. Again, our Chairman outlined the fantastic and important work he did as the US President's special envoy to Northern Ireland and chair of the multi-party talks that led to the Good Friday Agreement. As he will be aware, a bridge on the Cavan-Fermanagh border at Aghalane in my constituency is named after him. It is called the Senator George Mitchell Peace Bridge. The communities in counties Fermanagh and Cavan were delighted the Senator was able to visit them some years ago and plant a tree to mark the occasion. His name is recalled fondly throughout Ireland, particularly in the area I have the privilege of representing. I compliment him on his opening remarks where he summarised so well what has been achieved through courage and good leadership on the part of governments and political parties. His input and that of President Clinton was so important as well. He will recall that he took all the political parties to the UK for a retreat on a given weekend where politics could not be discussed. Can he give us an insight into the thinking behind this and what it achieved at that time?