- Mr President, I too welcome the opportunity to take part in this historic debate today. I also thank our President for the very dignified statement he made at the last part-session.

As has been said, Parliament was originally created as a forum for reconciliation between previously warring peoples. Though we now seem to spend a lot of our time discussing intricate legislation, I think we must not lose sight of this original goal. The European Parliament is a living and vibrant symbol that violent and tragic conflicts can be left where they belong, to our histories, and that we can move on. Parliament has no axe to grind on either side in Northern Ireland. It just seeks to play whatever role it can in bringing about a peaceful settlement. I hope that the debate will be taken by the people of Northern Ireland as a signal by elected representatives of Europeans who have suffered to fellow-Europeans who are now slowly emerging from conflict, that their future can be one of trust, respect, justice and, most importantly, peace.

I would like to pay tribute, as other speakers have, to all of those who brought us to this point, in particular to the Irish and British Governments; to my colleague, John Hume, who - as has been properly said here, and he has been properly saluted - played a very pivotal role in the whole process; and to my own party leader, Mr Dick Spring, who, as Minister for Foreign Affairs, has kept Northern Ireland at the top of his political agenda. The contribution made and courage shown by all of these have brought the whole of Ireland real hope for its future.

I welcome the establishment by the Irish Government of a forum for peace and reconciliation, and no one should feel threatened by this body. I believe the European Parliament could play an extremely useful role in the forum by demonstrating that it is not the creature of nationalist Ireland, as some fear, but engaged in an attempt to lead to a peaceful solution. I think that if the European Union can help bring peace to Northern Ireland - and I would suggest that one way to do this would be by actually sending participants from our Parliament to take part in the forum - this would be one way of showing the important role we can play. In closing I would refer to the joint motion that was agreed by all the parties last night, and in particular to the second paragraph of that motion, which I hope will be voted through successfully later. I would plead, as set out in that second paragraph, with all of the current military organizations on both sides, to play their part in bringing about a peaceful settlement.

(Applause)