- My dear fellow parliamentarians, the President of Parliament does not usually open a plenary session with a statement. If I have been asked to do so today by all group leaders, it is because of exceptional events in one of the regions of our European Union, in Northern Ireland.

(Applause)

On behalf, I believe, of the vast majority of Members of this House, I warmly welcome the most recent developments in Northern Ireland, particularly the IRA cessation of violence, which have, in our view, created a historic opportunity for peace and for an end to violence in the region. Of course, events this week have shown that not all violence has ceased in this conflict. We hope that all organizations there will now renounce violence for good.

(Applause)

Political dialogue is the only way forward. After a long dark storm it is natural that the first steps into the sunlight are wary ones, but this historic opportunity should be seized. I commend the efforts for peace of the Irish and British Governments. Statesmanship requires prudence but also the seizing of opportunities. Peace is being constructed in the Middle East precisely because statesmen with courage grasped opportunities when they presented themselves. You would expect me to salute such a statesman of courage in our own midst today - John Hume!

(Loud applause)

His unceasing efforts for peace have received their first reward. We are naturally proud of this achievement of a Member of our own House. As he said so often, we in this Parliament pass comment very frequently on conflict and war outside the Union. In Northern Ireland a region of the Union has been at conflict with itself for 25 years.

Our Union is built on values - the values of peace, democracy and respect for diversity. Terrorist violence and violence from any source are contrary to these values. Our Parliament has consistently expressed its solidarity with the people of Northern Ireland in word and in deed. The very important investments flowing to the region and the Union's participation in the International Fund could in this new political climate transform the region's prosperity by the turn of the century. We hope that the Commission and Council will respond rapidly to the requests from the British and Irish Governments for Community aid to be stepped up in this vital period. The group leaders and I hope that you will agree to debate the economic and political situation in Northern Ireland at the earliest opportunity, at the next part-session, so that we can examine practical ways of increasing that assistance in the new context.

But today let us just pay homage to the people of Northern Ireland as they catch this glimpse of a brighter future. Their steadfastness and courage through a quarter of a century of violence and terror inspire the whole of Europe with optimism for the future.

(Applause)

We cannot forget the suffering and the thousands of our fellow European citizens who have lost their lives both in Ireland and Britain. Their deaths must not be in vain. I invite you to join with me in a minute of silence to show our respect for their memory, our solidarity with their families and neighbours, and our heartfelt wishes and support for a brighter tomorrow.

(The House rose and observed a minute's silence)