Good Friday agreement - Happy anniversary

Yesterday was the 10th anniversary of the signing of the Good Friday agreement.

The fact that the two extremes have been co-operating in recent months gives real grounds for optimism. But there is no room for complacency.

Ten years ago the agreement was heralded as a new beginning. In that context, the formation of the current power-sharing executive should not be seen as the end of the beginning rather than the beginning of the end.

There are more “peace walls” than ever dividing the two communities, and the challenges are still enormous.

The world is looking to the north for example, in the hope that mankind can resolve such sectarian differences. It is incumbent on the whole island to try to ensure that those hopes are realised for everybody’s sake.