McAleese expresses hopes for lasting peace

President Mary McAleese has said today's IICD statement will remove a major obstacle to the search for a lasting and peaceful solution to the problems which have beset Northern Ireland for so long.

She said: “I hope that these developments will help to bring about a better climate in which trust between the two communities in Northern Ireland can flourish in the years ahead and that it will herald a speedy end to all ongoing paramilitary activity.

“We are indebted to both the Irish and British governments and the many individuals and organisations who have worked tirelessly to bring about today’s developments in order to help create a much better climate for political progress in Northern Ireland.”