Good Friday Committee reiterates its support for the Good Friday Agreement 20 years on

Speaking today, Deputy Crowe said, “The Good Friday Agreement set out a blueprint for peace and it is important and right that we commemorate the fact that in April 1998, an agreement was reached that led to peace on our island. That peace has - for the most part - held over 20 years and provided the democratic structures that allow for power-sharing at Stormont, as well as strong North-South and East-West cooperation. Though the North is currently without an Executive and Brexit casts a large shadow over the border, the Committee I am proud to chair believes that the Good Friday Agreement is still the best possible framework for peace and stability on the island of Ireland.”

“The Joint Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement was established in 2007 to consider issues arising from Ireland’s role as a signatory to the Good Friday Agreement and to monitor ongoing developments in the implementation of the Agreement. The Committee has an important role to play in encouraging engagement with groups representing different communities and ensuring that we work to build upon the strengths of the Agreement. Parts of the Agreement have yet to be implemented and more can and must be done to address the ongoing legacy of the conflict and particularly how that legacy affects victims and survivors and their families. While this anniversary is a valuable opportunity to take stock of the Agreement, we should not put it aside or discount it as out of date. The Good Friday Agreement still has the potential to fulfil the aspirations overwhelmingly endorsed by the people of this island, north and south, when they voted in favour of the Agreement.”

“I want to pay tribute to all those who were involved in the lengthy and difficult negotiations that led to the Good Friday Agreement and the subsequent talks processes, as well as the ongoing implementation process. In 1998, individuals from both sides of the conflict came together and agreed a new beginning for a peaceful and inclusive Ireland.
We should look to them and the example they set as we all work to ensure that peace and stability remain the norm on this island. They left us with a great responsibility to build upon the peace and positive changes the Agreement has brought about and my Committee will play its part in supporting its implementation.”