I am writing my notes for this week's podcast in New York. Richard and I were there last weekend working on my remarks for Monday night when President Bill Clinton and I will share reflections on the Good Friday Agreement negotiations and developments since then. I will return to this in next week’s column. 

President Clinton played a critical role in the build-up to the Agreement, encouraged and supported by Irish America. He was at the end of the phone as agreement was reached and has been an enabler of our process ever since. So too has Hilary Clinton. 

Lucilita Bhreatnach: GFA25

Gerry and Martin appeared, documents were handed out, which we all read. No time then for much sleep for we had to get ready for the plenary session chaired by George Mitchell. I had met him in the hall and he shook my hand saying "You did very well." (Meaning all of us, I am sure.)

When formalities were over one of the loyalists told me he had studied Irish and got a Fáinne while in jail.

Twenty-five years later, the Good Friday Agreement has yet to be fully implemented along with other agreements. I look forward to a New Ireland that is multicultural, pluralist and non-sectarian, based on equality with full inclusion of the unionist and other communities in Ireland.


Wear an Easter lily
It is a time when tens of thousands of people across the island, and internationally, will attend Easter commemorations to mark the anniversary of the Easter Rising and the Proclamation of the Republic. The symbol of our enduring commitment to those ideals is the Easter lily.