[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 153 (2007), Part 8]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 11657]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                   POWER SHARING IN NORTHERN IRELAND

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. FRANK PALLONE, JR.

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                          Tuesday, May 8, 2007

  Mr. PALLONE. Madam Speaker, I come to the floor this evening to 
discuss the historic power-sharing agreement in Northern Ireland as 
leaders today were finally sworn in to the Northern Ireland Assembly 
outside of Belfast.
  The people of Northern Ireland are long past ready for the assembly 
to meet and take the final steps towards lasting peace, prosperity and 
devolved government. It is important for the members of the assembly--
particularly party leaders Martin McGuinness and Ian Paisley--to not 
dwell in the past but rather get to work on building a strong economy 
and providing for the people of Northern Ireland.
  We must remember the 3,500 people that died and thousands more that 
were injured during the Troubles over the last 30 years. But now is a 
time of peace and a time for the people of Northern Ireland to look 
forward.
  Taoiseach (tay-shuck) Bertie Ahern and British Prime Minister Tony 
Blair are to be commended for their lasting commitment to permanent 
peace and justice in the North of Ireland. It is my hope that the next 
Prime Minister of Great Britain will share Mr. Blair's passion and 
perseverance for lasting peace in Northern Ireland.
  The progress made in Northern Ireland is absolutely remarkable 
considering the violent past it has had. I would like to commend Sinn 
Fein leader Gerry Adams for taking the steps necessary towards 
completely disbanding the IRA and supporting the policing institutions 
so that an agreement could be made.
  I would also like to thank Ian Paisley for finally saying ``yes'' and 
sitting at the table with Gerry Adams. Both sides made difficult 
concessions during this process but the concessions are worthwhile to 
bring an end to the tragic violence.
  It is now time for the two sides to fully work together to improve 
schools, roads, hospitals and the economy so that the people of 
Northern Ireland can have the representation they deserve.
  Madam Speaker, this truly is a historic day for Northern Ireland as 
it steps into a future of peace and diplomacy and steps out of a past 
filled with violence and unease.