[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 52 (Monday, March 26, 2007)]
[Senate]
[Page S3729]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     NORTHERN IRELAND PEACE PROCESS

  Mr. KENNEDY. Mr. President, the leaders of Northern Ireland took 
another giant step toward lasting peace earlier today when Sinn Fein 
and the Democratic Unionist Party reached a landmark agreement to share 
power in a joint administration to be established on May 8. The 
agreement gives hope to all who have worked so long and so hard to 
bring unionists and nationalists together in government on a permanent 
basis.
  Prime Minister Ahern of Ireland and Prime Minister Blair of Britain 
have been strong allies for peace. John Hume and many others have been 
heroes along the way. But the indispensable persons in this historic 
agreement today are Gerry Adams, the leader of Sinn Fein, and Ian 
Paisley, the leader of the Democratic Unionist Party. In reaching this 
agreement, they have acted to strengthen democracy and create a future 
of peace and stability for the future of that troubled land.
  Today, the people of Northern Ireland salute them both for reaching 
this new day, and the world congratulates them as well. We know it was 
not an easy step to take. Their past disagreements have been intense 
and deep. The challenges they have faced often seemed irreconcilable, 
and the scars of the past have often seemed impossible to heal. 
Compromises have been difficult and painful to achieve. But with this 
agreement, Sinn Fein and the DUP have finally taken the essential step 
of looking forward together--not backward--and have agreed at long last 
to work with one another for the future of Northern Ireland.
  The eyes of the world will be on them on May 8. All who care about 
lasting peace and stability look forward to the permanent restoration 
of the Northern Ireland Government at that time. In a world where 
political resolution often is elusive, these leaders deserve enormous 
credit for giving us hope.
  I suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. The clerk will call the roll.
  The bill clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. HATCH. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for 
the quorum call be rescinded.
  The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. Without objection, it is so 
ordered.
  Mr. HATCH. Mr. President, I listened with interest to the remarks of 
the distinguished Senator from Massachusetts. I do, myself, feel a 
great sense of pleasure and comfort in what has transpired today with 
regard to Ireland, and I wanted to say so.

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