The 1998 Good Friday Agreement is widely regarded as one of the most significant moments in the history of Northern Ireland. The agreement brought to an end years of political strife and violence, paving the way for a more peaceful and stable future. Now, over two decades later, leaders of Northern Ireland’s Ulster Unionist Party (UUP) are publicly praising former Irish Taoiseach Bertie Ahern for his “exceptional” role in negotiating the agreement. In this article, we will explore the reasons behind the UUP’s praise of Ahern and examine his legacy in the context of the Good Friday Agreement.
Bertie Ahern, the former Taoiseach of Ireland, has been hailed as an exceptional leader at an Ulster Unionist Party event commemorating the 25th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement. Speaking at the Royal Irish Academy in Dublin, Ahern recalled how the UUP played a key role in the agreement, despite the Democratic Unionist Party pulling out of the talks in September 1997. Ahern praised former UUP leader David Trimble for his wisdom and toughness, as well as current UUP leader Doug Beattie for his constructive role in bringing wisdom and calmness to difficult situations. Beattie also paid tribute to the late Trimble for his courage and love for his country and people, without whom the agreement may not have been achieved.
The Good Friday Agreement, signed on 10 April 1998, is an international treaty between the British and Irish governments and political parties in Northern Ireland that ended the decades-long conflict in the region. The agreement established a power-sharing government, as well as a number of human rights and equality provisions. It also set up the Independent Commission on Policing, which oversaw sweeping reforms of the police service in Northern Ireland. The agreement was approved by separate referendums held in both Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland on 22 May 1998. Almost 72% of voters in Northern Ireland and 94% of voters in the Republic of Ireland approved the deal.
Ahern was praised by Beattie for his leadership and his ability to bring the people of Ireland together to deliver the agreement, which secured peace for Northern Ireland and the island as a whole. Beattie said that “every one of us, every one of our family members, every one of our people owe him a debt of gratitude”.
Despite the many positive outcomes of the Good Friday Agreement, there have been criticisms of the deal from different quarters over the years. Some argue that it has not done enough to heal the social and economic divisions that remain in Northern Ireland. Others have criticised the amnesty provisions for paramilitary prisoners, arguing that they send the wrong message about accountability for crimes committed during the conflict.
Nevertheless, the Good Friday Agreement remains a landmark peace treaty and a testament to what can be achieved through dialogue and compromise. As Beattie noted in his speech, there are many people alive today who would not be here had it not been for the agreement. The importance of peace and reconciliation in Northern Ireland cannot be overstated, and the Good Friday Agreement is a vital part of that process.
