- Mr President, on behalf of my Group, I wish to begin by thanking you for the very statesmanlike speech you made at the last part-session, for raising this issue as you did then, for your recognition of the present situation in Northern Ireland and the recognition by Parliament of the part that all have played in achieving the present situation.

I support Pauline Green and her comments about John Hume and the part that he has personally played - and his family too - in this struggle; and your recognition of the many years of struggle and strife that the people have had to face in that province. I, therefore, welcome today this opportunity for debate and the contribution that Parliament can make through the European Union towards that peace.

As we all know, more than three weeks have now passed without IRA violence since the declaration of the ceasefire on 31 August. That, of course, is very good news. And the longer it lasts, the more hopes will rise that we may have an unparalleled opportunity for progress.

However, it remains the case that many people in Northern Ireland inevitably still have suspicions, they still have doubts, they are worried, and many are uncertain.

The British Government's objective has always been to secure a permanent end to all paramilitary violence. By the Downing Street declaration the British and the Irish Governments created the conditions to achieve that objective. The welcome cessation of IRA violence would not have occurred without that declaration. A clear indication is needed that the IRA's violence is over for good. This is quite a simple matter: it only needs to use the unambiguous word "permanent". And what is even more important than words are deeds: the surrender of all weapons and explosives would go far further than any words to convince us all of its good faith.

The Irish National Liberation Army and the Loyalist paramilitaries should also give up their campaigns of violence. There is no justification at all for these groups to continue. They should now respond to the many appeals to them for their own communities to end that violence. Within three peaceful months the British Government will be able to take a part with Sinn Féin in the exploratory dialogue to which it has committed itself.

It is vital that the outcome of any future talks on new political arrangements has the widespread consent and the confidence of the people, and all the people, of Northern Ireland. They want to be sure that the outcome will not be imposed upon them without their democratic consent. And that is why the British Government's announcement that the final outcome of the talks will be submitted in a referendum to the electorate of Northern Ireland is so welcome. It will thus be the choice of the people of Northern Ireland whether or not to accept the outcome.

(Applause)