The election was dwarfed today by the historic events in the North. This is Day 1 of a new era in Ireland. It is Day 1 in the new relationship between North and South, Britain and Ireland, Catholic and Protestant.
Finally it is Day 1 in a new relationship between Northern Ireland and the rest of the world.
Congratulations to all concerned for their courage, patience and determination to achieve peace. Thousands of people have helped achieve this peace, some in imperceptible ways behind the scenes, some in a ways that will never be recorded in the history books. Most importantly those, like Gordon Wilson, father of the Enniskillen bomb victim, Marie Wilson, who advocated forgiveness and tolerance even in the face of great tragedy, have been vindicated. After that terrible event he said that 'he bore no grudge, no ill will, and that there was a 'plan'.
The tragedy of this conflict is ingrained in minds of our people and I hope that the peace that has been achieved is protected and valued.
Congratulations especially to Bertie Ahern and Prime Minster Blair. In the last ten years both men have placed the North at the centre of their agendas. Many times their resolve was called into question and they held their nerve.
I had the honour of working closely with Albert Reynolds as his Chief Whip when he started the process leading to the 'Downing Street Declaration' and ceasefire. Knowing Albert he will be quietly pleased to see the work he started completely successfully.
I am proud of the central role that Fianna Fáil has played in bring this about. Everything else pales into insignificance on such a day but the campaign goes on....
Journalists were interested in the issue of jobs which was central to our Press conference today. We were questioned on various aspects of our economic policies especially related to jobs and research. These questions are arising from concerns about the Irish economy's ability to travel up what they're calling the value chain. In other words Ireland needs to create more high-end jobs because of other economies' ability to undercut us in traditional industries. Fianna Fáil's record at creating jobs is impeccable - we have for the first time in the history of the State near full employment. FF is invested billions in the high-end jobs in science and technology that Ireland requires to compete in the globalised world.
Congratulations especially to Bertie Ahern and Prime Minster Blair. In the last ten years both men have placed the North at the centre of their agendas. Many times their resolve was called into question and they held their nerve.
I had the honour of working closely with Albert Reynolds as his Chief Whip when he started the process leading to the 'Downing Street Declaration' and ceasefire. Knowing Albert he will be quietly pleased to see the work he started completely successfully.
I am proud of the central role that Fianna Fáil has played in bring this about. Everything else pales into insignificance on such a day but the campaign goes on....
Journalists were interested in the issue of jobs which was central to our Press conference today. We were questioned on various aspects of our economic policies especially related to jobs and research. These questions are arising from concerns about the Irish economy's ability to travel up what they're calling the value chain. In other words Ireland needs to create more high-end jobs because of other economies' ability to undercut us in traditional industries. Fianna Fáil's record at creating jobs is impeccable - we have for the first time in the history of the State near full employment. FF is invested billions in the high-end jobs in science and technology that Ireland requires to compete in the globalised world.
On the day the inevitable question about going into Government with Sinn Féin was raised. The answer was a resounding 'no'.
Canvassing in Navan was interrupted by the launch of two great initiative from Meath County Council - the Mill Project and Meath Education & Training Database. The MILL project (http://www.workinmeath.ie/) is a lifelong learning project which aims to bring 3rd level opportunities to Meath people through business management courses organised through Maynooth College and Dundalk IT. The database gives details of all the courses and training available in Meath.
More canvassing immediately after these launches. It was cut short to by a heavy downpour.....the difference the weather can make to an election campaign.
Canvassing in Navan was interrupted by the launch of two great initiative from Meath County Council - the Mill Project and Meath Education & Training Database. The MILL project (http://www.workinmeath.ie/) is a lifelong learning project which aims to bring 3rd level opportunities to Meath people through business management courses organised through Maynooth College and Dundalk IT. The database gives details of all the courses and training available in Meath.
More canvassing immediately after these launches. It was cut short to by a heavy downpour.....the difference the weather can make to an election campaign.
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