John Dardis (Progressive Democrats)

It is a great honour for the House that John Hume has attended this morning and it is a privilege to be here to hear what he has to say. We are conscious that we are in the presence of one of the politicians of the very first rank of this generation and who transcends not only this island, but Europe and the world. We are also conscious that he is a Nobel laureate. In recognising the work he has done over his lifetime, we extend to him and his wife every good wish in his retirement, which will be active.

As we stated on an earlier occasion, what we must recognise most of all is an unswerving commitment to democracy and to the way of peace and dialogue. I suppose it is easier now to think that was not such an achievement but many times, as the Cathaoirleach will be aware, we recorded the very dark days and the numbers who were killed and murdered. It is in that context that one must salute the commitment, dedication and the essential work to ensure democracy was sustained. Perhaps we do not give as much cognisance to that today in a more peaceful time as we would have in the past. To sustain that over such an extended period must have created an enormous emotional drain and psychological burden which we must salute. We also salute the integrity of the vision which was sustained over the period.

The poison of violence has been referred to and the cessation of paramilitarism is essential in all of this. The border of the mind is something about which John Hume has regularly spoken and it was one about which the late Senator Gordon Wilson, when he was a Member of this House, frequently spoke. The late Senator Wilson frequently wondered how so many people on a small cabbage patch could not agree to tend the garden. That was the analogy he used. We recognise that border of the mind and John Hume has charted the way in which those borders can be eroded and demolished.

The comparison with the achievement of the European Union is a valid one where under such appalling circumstances, an edifice of peace was so effectively constructed and has endured. There is a lesson there in that while the situation was extraordinarily bleak, dismal and difficult in the past in Northern Ireland, perhaps one has to look into the abyss, as was done in Europe, to understand the need and to reinforce the belief that the only way forward is through peaceful and co-operative means.

The Agreement remains the template. We look forward to progress in the future. We can only wonder why democratic politicians would not wish to control events and regulate the way in which society is ordered within their country. Perhaps if that was kept firmly to the forefront of minds, more progress might be made. We salute everything John Hume has done and recognise his achievements.