- Mr President, as the first elected Member for Northern Ireland with the largest number of votes from the province, almost 30%, it is my first duty to pay tribute to and salute the memory of those that have fallen in defending all parts of Northern Ireland from IRA terrorism. I do that today: I salute the members of the Royal Ulster Constabulary and the police reserve, the Ulster Defence Regiment and the members of the other regiments of our army and other people in the services that look after the interests and well-being of all members of society, who have given their lives to give freedom and peace in our province.

I also salute those who have been bereaved. Mrs Green said she looked on it from afar. I did not look on it from afar. I have been in hundreds of bereaved homes. I have put my hand on the curly heads of little boys and little girls, both Protestant and Roman Catholic, who will never see a parent again. I have prayed in these homes. I know how these people feel. I would be failing in my duty as an elected representative from Northern Ireland today in not reminding this House that IRA violence has not stopped. The cruel punishment beatings by the IRA in West Belfast continue. Mr Hume's own colleague, Dr Hendron, MP for West Belfast, has publicly confirmed this. The church where a Protestant congregation, the Mountain Lodge Pentecostal Assembly, was massacred some time ago has been burned down since this cease fire. And there have been other atrocities carried out by the IRA.

I would like to say to this House today that Gerry Adams, the IRA Sinn Féin Leader, refuses to say that this ceasefire is permanent and yesterday in the USA warned that if the IRA did not get a suitable settlement then a new leadership in three years could recommence the armed struggle.

(The President urged the speaker to conclude)

I might say in closing that I do welcome paragraph 3 of the EPP resolution which calls on all paramilitary organizations, whether republican or loyalist, to implement a permanent cessation of violence and to pursue their political objectives through the democratic process.