Among the many reasons I love Secretary Clinton is for all of the hard work she puts in behind the scenes on this process and for all the encouragement she provides. She never takes any credit. She always praises the parties involved, but we all know how long and hard she has worked for peace in the north and why the Irish love Hillary Clinton.
Northern Ireland Assembly Vote on Devolution
Hillary Rodham Clinton
Secretary of State
Washington, DC
March 9, 2010
I commend the Northern Ireland Assembly today for its affirmation of the Hillsborough Agreement and its endorsement of the devolution of policing and justice, an important step in ensuring a peaceful and prosperous future for all of the people of Northern Ireland for generations to come. Devolution will mark a major milestone in achieving the aspirations of the Good Friday Agreement and the St. Andrews Agreement, and will help cement the hard-won gains of the past decade.
I applaud Northern Ireland’s political leadership for tackling the complex and difficult work that will come with these additional responsibilities, and the many men and women involved in the stewardship and provision of policing and justice who have already made an immense contribution to this process. The journey is not over, and real challenges remain. I encourage all parties to work together in a spirit of cooperation and compromise as they continue the road toward a full and lasting peace.
The United States stands with the people of Northern Ireland in their efforts to build and sustain a thriving, confident, and shared society. Through cultural exchanges and new business relationships, we are deepening our historic ties. Our Economic Envoy, Declan Kelly, is working to help Northern Ireland reap the dividends of peace, including economic growth, international investment, and other new opportunities. And I look forward to meeting with Northern Ireland’s leaders next week in Washington to discuss the way forward together.
