Shane Ross (Independent)

I echo the tributes paid to people here and in Northern Ireland following the extraordinary agreement reached yesterday between the two largest parties. One or two individuals were not singled out for their contribution to this amazing achievement over the years. One of the sad results of yesterday's agreement is that many of the moderates have been sidelined. Whereas the extremists may have been moderated, those who have been responsible for the process — Senator O'Toole and others have mentioned John Hume — have found that their parties have been marginalised. I refer specifically to the Ulster Unionist Party and SDLP, which were, to a large extent, the creators of the agreement but have, to some extent, been made redundant. This is a pity, although the price is well worth paying. Nevertheless, we should not forgot those who built this amazing historic agreement.

In this Parliament, we should also pay tribute to the Taoiseach for his incredible achievement. We should not forget former Taoiseach, Albert Reynolds, one of the great unsung heroes of this agreement who took the issue by the scruff of the neck and had the nerve to do things other politicians did not. It may be that he was not burdened by ideology, in the sense that many in all parties throughout this island are burdened. He had incredible courage and while his language of taking risks for peace was to some extent rhetorical, it was also true. Today, it is as much his creation as anybody's. We should remember that and we should remember other moderates who are already forgotten in this historic agreement.