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I call on everyone of goodwill both in Ireland and abroad to join now in ensuring that the beginning of peace becomes a reality, before this year is out. Let us together open a new era in our history.

The people of Northern Ireland have sorted out my whole life.

I love Ireland. I feel very at peace there. It's just magical and beautiful.

What Ireland needs now above all else is peace.

As they say, one thing led to another, and, ultimately, the British and Irish governments asked me to serve as chairman of the peace negotiations, which ironically began six years ago this week.

I was very active in the peace movement, still am.

The need for peace in Northern Ireland goes well beyond political stability. It now speaks to regional Europe and even global stability.

I felt that the IRA, in the context of Irish history, and Sinn Fein were a legitimate force that had to be recognized, and you wouldn't have peace without them.

I think a lot of us who grew up in Northern Ireland weren't politicised enough, frankly.