Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

I am grateful for the opportunity to address the House on Northern Ireland matters. It is my first occasion to do so as Taoiseach. It is fitting that we gather to reflect on one of the great achievements of this democracy, the peace process in Northern Ireland. The achievement has been brought about by successive Governments of all parties, with the steadfast support of all shades of opinion in the Oireachtas and Irish society. It was built upon unprecedented partnership between the British and Irish Governments, and the strong support of our friends in America, the EU and around the world. In more recent years it has been greatly strengthened by a transformation in relationships between North and South and between Nationalists and Unionists on the island. At this time of great economic challenges for our country, it is important to reflect on how our democratic values and democratic institutions have successfully faced the historic challenges of bringing peace to Northern Ireland and building reconciliation between all the peoples on these islands. It is an achievement to treasure, one that is recognised and applauded around the world. It should offer us great inspiration as we face into the enormous economic problems of today.

This House has often been to the forefront in the quest for peace and reconciliation in the North. Many Members, past and present, have given strong and thoughtful leadership on this most complex and emotive of issues. In particular, the House has benefitted greatly from the participation of Senators from both traditions from Northern Ireland who have served here.

Time does not permit me to mention all those Members but I hope others will forgive me if I mention two former Senators in particular, Senators Gordon Wilson and Billy Fox. Who in Ireland will ever forget the courage and generosity displayed by Senator Wilson in the face of the unspeakable atrocity that was the Enniskillen bombing ? At a time of what must have been unimaginable personal pain he somehow found the strength to speak up for peace and forgiveness. His strength served to fortify us all in our determination to bring peace for future generations. He showed that there was a better way, that violence and hatred are not inevitable. It took far too long, and too many people suffered in the meantime, but we are all thankful that the horrendous violence and hatred that scarred this island for decades is now a thing of the past.

The other member of Seanad Éireann who I wish to recall today is former Senator Billy Fox. Billy Fox was the only Member of the Oireachtas to be killed during the recent Northern Ireland troubles. His murder was also an attack on our democracy. The fact that we all stand here today with our democracy intact and peace secured for our people is a fitting memorial to Billy Fox and to all members of the Oireachtas who have worked over the decades for peace and reconciliation on this island.

While we quite properly reflect on our collective achievements, we are not complacent and we fully recognise the very serious challenges that remain. Last March, in the space of a few days a small group of people who reject the wishes of the Irish people murdered two British soldiers in Antrim and a PSNI officer in Craigavon. This House joined with Dáil Éireann in expressing its deepest sympathies for the families of those killed and it reiterated its resolve that peace and stability which has been endorsed by all the people on this island would not be undermined.

The enduring image of that week in Northern Ireland was of the First Minister and the Deputy First Minister standing alongside the Chief Constable of the PSNI, all three united in their determination that Northern Ireland would not be pushed back into the dark days of the past. That proved that we are truly in a new era in our history. The rejection of that mindless violence and the united response of the political parties and of civic society sent a potent message that we should not allow a return to instability and violence. Yesterday's violent events were a further challenge to us all. The democratic institutions and the peace that we all worked so hard to achieve are being challenged by a tiny and unrepresentative group of people with no mandate and no support for their actions.