Extract from a statement by the UK Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Dr Mo Mowlam, in April 1998

Transcript

This agreement was made possible by the efforts of many people – most of all by the leaders of the political parties involved in the negotiations.

The House will I am sure wish to join me in also paying tribute to them and to the exceptional chairmanship skills of Senator George Mitchell and his fellow independent Chairmen, former Prime Minister Harri Holkeri and General John de Chastelain.

The patience, impartiality and the personal authority which Senator Mitchell showed over the months of difficult and tense negotiation were a major factor in the success of these talks.

No less crucial was the constant support and the direct involvement of my Rt Hon Friend the Prime Minister, particularly over the last few days of the negotiations.

The final 36 hours saw him engaged in a virtually non-stop round of intensive negotiations which were among the toughest of the whole process.

His efforts were matched by those of the Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern, who rose above the personal tragedy of his mother’s death, to play an equally decisive role in the final intensive days of negotiation.

Hon Members will also appreciate the enormous value of having a broad political consensus in support of the talks process, both here at Westminster and in the Irish Parliament.