"In the last week we witnessed momentous developments in Irish history. We witnessed the culmination of two years of concentrated effort by a broad cross section of people of vision, dedication and commitment to the cause of peace and reconciliation in this country.

"We saw men and women of stature devote great time, take huge risks and compromise in the interest of achieving piece, equity and justice. It took courage, fortitude, patience and vision for these people to fashion and sculpt an agreement within the constraints imposed on them by their respective ideologies and by the legacy of a torrid and troubled history.

"They did so because of their dream for a new Ireland and a fusion of minds committed to consigning past injustice, violence and trouble to history and towards creating a new beginning.

"I know how difficult it was for them to achieve an agreement. I know that all of us here understand this. I have experienced with some of you at first hand poignant and tragic occasions where members of our Association were callously murdered. Where it was difficult to articulate our real sense of abhorrence and revulsion and where all we could do was share in the loss and the grief as part of the extended family that is our Association.

"I know of the trauma and outrage caused by the violation to our properties and the occupation of Crossmaglen. But, we cannot dwell in the past, we can only plan for the future, a future that I now hope and pray will vindicate the efforts of those involved in the peace process.

"I say to you that we cannot as the largest organisation in this country shirk our responsibility or role in achieving and contributing to peace. The poet John Donne stated that "no man is an island". Certainly an organisation as broadly based and as community based as ours is not an island.

"As a matter of policy we have previously declared `that in the context of an acceptable political settlement in which the national and cultural traditions of the people of all Ireland are equally recognised and respected, the concept of an exclusion rule will have no relevance to us'.

"I believe that this time is now upon us. The agreement reached in the multi-party negotiations says in respect of the participants' views on Policing and Justice, and I quote:

`They believe that the agreement provides the opportunity for a new beginning to policing in Northern Ireland with a police service capable of attracting and sustaining support from the community as a whole.'

This is consistent and in accord with our own policies and aspirations and I believe we must now take a leap of faith in support of the process. I believe we must now play our part in the evolution of peace and equity, even if it means some risk. I believe that we must show vision, courage, leadership and unity and not stand idly by.'