Good Friday Agreement poses no threat - Ahern
The Good Friday Agreement offers a ‘‘good and fair’’ future for Northern Ireland and dissenters should accept that it poses them no threat,Taoiseach Bertie Ahern said today.
Four years after the signing of the historic accord Mr Ahern said it was time for anti-agreement politicians and paramilitaries to accept it was the way to build peace on the island.
The escalating bloodshed in the Middle East proved that such a political settlement carried ‘‘all the more value’’, he said in an anniversary statement.
‘‘Every day has not been perfect. But the achievements are there for all to see,’’ Mr Ahern said.
‘‘The Agreement is widely recognised not just in Ireland but in many parts of the world as a creative and progressive model in addressing deep-seated political divisions.
‘‘Of course there are continuing challenges. But our commitment to the Agreement and our determination to see it fully implemented remain undiminished.
‘‘Partnership Government is now in place in Belfast, the North-South and East-West institutions are functioning effectively, Northern Ireland is being demilitarised, decommissioning has been initiated and the new start to policing is under way.
‘‘As we see the turmoil and despair today in the Middle East in particular, we should all the more value and protect what we so painstakingly created in the Good Friday Agreement.’’
He went on: ‘‘There are those who remain to be convinced of the worthy purpose and benefits of the Good Friday Agreement.
‘‘I hope that over time they will begin to accept that the Agreement is not a threat to anybody but a real opportunity to ensure that Northern Ireland has a future that is good and fair for all.’’
Meanwhile the names of more than 3,600 victims of Northern Ireland’s Troubles were being read out at a special church service in central Dublin.
For more than three hours, at the Unitarian Church on St Stephen’s Green, members of the congregation took turns to read through the list of those killed in more than 30 years of conflict.
The ceremony began at noon, and, after a minutes silence, service organiser Chris Hudson told the congregation: ‘‘We are simply going to read the names as a simple memorial without prejudice to anyone’s position.
‘‘Tragically, since we did this last year, we have had to compile a list of another 14 names to add to our remembrance service.’’
As the service was under way Mr Hudson told PA News that he hoped the memorial occasion
would grow in coming years and eventually bring together politicians and families from all sides of the political spectrum as an act of reconciliation.
He added: ‘‘I hope to God that next year when we come to do this there will be no need to add anybody else’s name to the list.’’
