- I want to pay tribute to the work of an taoiseach Albert Reynolds, British Prime Minister John Major and member of the European Parliament John Hume whose dedication and commitment to the ongoing peace process has played a large part in creating this historic breakthrough in Northern Ireland.

I welcome the I.R.A. decision to commit themselves to the democratic process and I call on all other paramilitary groupings in Northern Ireland to end their campaigns of violence.

I believe that it is now the duty of all the constitutional parties in Northern Ireland together with the Irish and British governments to enter into a process of dialogue with the intention of creating the conditions for a lasting peace built on trust, goodwill and co-operation between the two traditions in Ireland.

I welcome today's positive statement of support from the Commission and the Council of Ministers and I look forward to an early conclusion to the discussions between the Commission and the British and Irish governments on the preparation of an appropriate package of measures for Northern Ireland and the border areas.