McNulty - Time to recapture spirit of the Agreement

Newry and Armagh MLA Justin McNulty believes there is “enormous international goodwill” in relation to the Good Friday Agreement. Speaking at an event in Queen’s University to commemorate the 25^thanniversary of the Agreement which saw an address by the Senator George Mitchell,  Chair of the Good Friday Agreement negotiations calling for “the current and future leaders of Northern Ireland to act with courage and vision as their predecessors did 25 years ago.” Mr McNulty said: “I was deeply inspired by the strength of solidarity from some of the key drivers of the Good Friday Agreement. To see such determined support from George Mitchell, as well as from President Biden and both Bill and Hillary Clinton, shows the enormous goodwill for the North from our American counterparts."

The MLA continued “25 years have passed since the Good Friday Agreement, and whilst the transition of our society away from violence and bloodshed has been entirely transformational, the full promise of the Agreement has not yet been realised.

“I was inspired to become involved in politics by the determined leadership of Séamus Mallon & John Hume. They devoted their lives to laying the foundations for lasting peace, and I am deeply frustrated at the fact that their sacrifices, and indeed their achievements, are being dishonoured by the petulant nonsense from the leaders of today.

“There are very few of the key architects of the Agreement left with us, so it was particularly poignant to hear George Mitchell’s contribution at Queen’s University.  We would all do well to take note of the gauntlet he laid down “to find workable answers to the daily problems of the present, to preserve the peace. To leave to the next generation peace, freedom, opportunity, and the hope of a better future for their children.”

Mr McNulty added "I found this message to be particularly inspiring because of the presence of schoolchildren and their teachers at the event, including a group of pupils and teachers I met from St. Joseph’s Crossmaglen, Newry High School, St. Paul’s High School, and Newtownhamilton High School, who were there exhibiting tremendous camaraderie and positivity and were in the thick of the action.  I sincerely hope that the young people will attach due weight to Senator Mitchell’s words, and pick up the mantle as they emerge as the leaders of tomorrow. 

“We need people who believe, who know, that the possible does exist within the impossible. Don’t let it slip away.”