Oireachtas

Voices In The House

We cannot afford one response in the North and another in the South

Wed Apr 22 1998 - 01:00

We cannot afford one response in the North and another in the South. I expect and am calling for a united and not a partitionist approach. Everyone needs to rise to the occasion, if we are all to get the full benefit of the agreement.

- The Taoiseach, Mr Ahern

Now is the time of decision. This is not a time for each-way bets, or taking out a reinsurance policy. Now is the time to say yes to this agreement, to say yes to peace, to say yes to the future.

- The Fine Gael leader, Mr John Bruton

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This agreement is not the beginning of the end of the conflict on this island. More correctly, it is the end of the beginning.

- The Labour leader, Mr Ruairi Quinn

This is not a time for procrastination, for picking and choosing, for mischievous patriot games. It is time to bring an end to one of the darkest chapters in our history, time for a new beginning.

- The DL leader, Mr Proinsias De Rossa

We must guard against euphoria and overblown claims about the significance of the text of this document. Very important decisions have to be made about the future of this country by all of us in the weeks and months ahead. Sober judgements need to be made . . .

- Mr Caoimhghin O Caolain (SF)

I sincerely hope that Sinn Fein and the leadership of Sinn Fein will indicate their support for the referendums . . . It is now time to support the agreement in an unequivocal way in both parts of the island.

- Mr Dick Spring (Labour)

The first truth to be celebrated is the fact that it [the agreement] happened. Set against the background of 30 years of conflict and of previous difficulties in forging a settlement, this is an immense achievement in itself.

- The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr Andrews

We saw the victory of parliamentarianism over paramilitarism, the victory of talk over terror, and, hopefully, the final victory of the ballot box over the gun and the bomb.

- The Tanaiste, Ms Harney

I expect the agreement to go through . . . Unfortunately, however, as a mechanism for solving permanently the deep-seated problems of Northern Ireland, this agreement will be found to be fatally flawed.

- Mr Joe Higgins (Socialist Party)

At our happiest moments of national celebration and pride, the tragedy of Northern Ireland diminished us. Over the past few years, following the joint declaration and the subsequent ceasefires, we have dared to hope that it could and would be otherwise.

- The Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ms Liz O'Donnell