McAleese talks of 'opportunity' presented by IRA statement
President Mary McAleese has said she hoped today's historic announcement by the IRA to dump its arms would "help secure the long-term peaceful co-existence of this and all future generations of people across the entire country".
“Today’s statement by the IRA offers a real opportunity to build the trust and mutual understanding on which a just, equitable and peaceful future will rest.
“I hope that, in the interest of generations to come, this opportunity will now be well and wisely used,” the president said.
“I would like to praise all those who have been working so hard to ensure an end to the tradition of armed struggle in Ireland and to promote a future in which there would be one tradition only and that is the tradition of democratic politics and peaceful persuasion.”
