Looking Back - Good Friday Agreement

On this day in 1998 one of the most important agreements in British history was reached. After nearly two years of talks and thirty years of conflict the Northern Ireland peace talks finally ended in agreement. Dubbed the 'Good Friday Agreement' it was to lay the foundations for lasting peace in the province. It was hailed as triumph for British Prime Minister Tony Blair and the Republic of Ireland's leader Bertie Ahern, who had succeeded where all their predecessors had failed. The proposals in the agreement included plans for a Northern Ireland Assembly, new cross-border involving the Irish Republic and a body linking devolved assemblies across the UK with Westminster and Dublin. The proposals were to be the subject of a referendum the following month, after they had been posted to every household in Northern Ireland and the Irish Republic. A referendum held in May 1998 on both sides of the Irish border, returned a resounding "yes" vote for the Good Friday Agreement. Speaking after the agreement had been reached Tony Blair said, "Today I hope that the burden of history can at long last start to be lifted from our shoulders." The chairman of the talks, former US Senator George Mitchell, paid tribute to all those who had taken part. Claiming there was still a big gap of distrust between nationalists and unionists Sinn Fein President Gerry Adams said, "It must be bridged on the basis of equality. We are reaching out the hand of friendship" he added. Ulster Unionist leader David Trimble said, "I see a great opportunity for us to start a healing process." Representatives of the loyalist paramilitary groups UDP and PUP also welcomed the agreement. Since that time differences between the various factions have led to difficulties, but by and large the agreement has held firm, bringing peace and prosperity to Northern Ireland for the last twenty one years.