Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The discussion I had on Northern Ireland with former President Clinton went back to his own involvement in the North and its difficulties, his appointment of George Mitchell and his continued interest in the place. He said in Derry, "I was here 20 years ago. Go on and finish the job, if you can." The difficulties have been outlined by representatives of the different parties in Northern Ireland. As I said in response to Deputy Micheál Martin, I hope the weekend will pass without conflict and violence. Deputy Gerry Adams has outlined the number of parades that take place. Clearly, with only 200 Nationalist parades across the North, none of which is contentious, the number of marches and parades which have taken place generally is extraordinary.

The point made by the Deputy, the SDLP and the Minister of Justice in the Northern Ireland Executive, Mr. David Ford, is that this is a process put in place after long and hard negotiations that were difficult for those concerned. It is the foundation stone for the future and one that is worth working for to see it implemented. I hope the Unionist parties - the DUP and the UUP - can come back to what the future is for Northern Ireland and its people, particularly its young people. That requires a belief that the agreement reached is one that can work in the interest of all communities and peoples.

When I was in the United States in March for the St. Patrick's week connections, I spoke with representatives from Senate and Congress with an interest in Northern Ireland and to the President, the Speaker of the House and a number of different Senators. They all have a genuine interest in seeing the process continue and that it does not break up. I thanked President Clinton for his continued interest and it goes without saying that he and his wife continue to maintain their personal interest in Northern Ireland. I hope it can continue for a long time.

Deputy Adams also asked another question at the end.

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