John Dardis (Progressive Democrats)

I know the Cathaoirleach and every other reasonable person will join with me in celebrating and rejoicing over the events that have taken place in the North of Ireland over recent days and in welcoming the report of the Independent International Commission on Decommissioning. General de Chastelain and his colleagues deserve much credit, as do the clergymen who participated. Their words were authoritative enough for the vast majority of us to accept that the arms are now completely and permanently beyond use and that is a day that many of us thought we might not see.

It is also worth recalling that on many occasions in this House we had to condemn one atrocity after another on almost a daily basis from each side of the dispute. The Cathaoirleach was a Member of the House at the time and he is aware of this. We now hope there will be a rapid advancement to the primacy of democratic politics within the North of Ireland and that the devolved powers will be restored to Stormont.

We should also recognise the key role played by previous leaders, both here and in the United Kingdom. The Taoiseach, Deputy Bertie Ahern, and the UK Prime Minister, Mr. Blair, deserve particular credit for the patience they have shown over an extended period and for the way in which they have facilitated the process. It would only be right for this House to recognise also the role played by Senator Mansergh in the process.