Northern Ireland Quotes

I've spent a lot of time with Steve, from Northern Ireland, to Sarajevo, to Utah, but probably most memorably, to our annual New Year's pilgrimages to our house in High Falls, where we have what we call in Ireland 'a bit of a piss-up' for three days, ... I know it's probably the time that I'm supposed to tell a funny story or two about Steve ... because he's such a funny man, but they're private. You're not going to get them.

The reality is that the nationalist community in Northern Ireland were treated almost like animals by the unionist community. They were not treated like human beings. It was like the Nazis treatment of the Jews.

We cannot ignore the importance of perceptions in Northern Ireland, and there is now a clear emerging sense of deep hurt amongst loyalists, which arises from our decisions to reroute.

This is very positive news for Northern Ireland. The working age population is showing increased labour market participation and the number of jobs is at a record high.

They will come for a victory and they will come to play football, not volleyball like Northern Ireland.

It is clear that George's life has meant a lot to a lot of people in Northern Ireland.

The people of Northern Ireland and people throughout the United Kingdom want to celebrate George's life in a positive way, ... He has been one of the greatest footballers that ever lived.

Direct rule is not the right way for Northern Ireland to be governed. Devolution is. We want to -- and we will -- hand back to politicians as soon as we can.

Personally I would have got rid of him four or five weeks ago (after England lost to Northern Ireland in a World Cup qualifier). But they have made the decision, so we have to stand by that.

Violence or the threat of violence will not solve the problems of Northern Ireland. The only way forward to peace, political stability and reconciliation is through democratic means.

Do they think that the people of Northern Ireland are fools?

It is nothing short of deception and lies to portray this deal as strengthening the union (between Northern Ireland and Britain), ... complete and total sellout of our province.

Sadly, since last year's first memorial service, 14 police officers in Great Britain and Northern Ireland have lost their lives serving the public good.

There is not a single injustice in Northern Ireland that is worth the loss of a single British soldier or a single Irish citizen either.

If they could get the institutions up and running properly before Blair resigns then Northern Ireland will go down as a positive -- he can tick it off as one of the big political issues he did get sorted out.

This isn't just an award to David Trimble and myself. It's an award to all the people of Northern Ireland and to all the parties that have participated in the peace process and to both governments.

I welcome this important breakthrough and congratulate the Northern Ireland leaders and the Irish Republic on reaching a genuine accommodation of mutual benefit to north and south.

The last thing the people of Northern Ireland need now is an outbreak of recriminations.

The decision ... was in the interests of public safety for the whole of Northern Ireland and I support him. Many people will be angry with what has occurred and I ask for restraint.

It is a victory for those who want fair, accountable and decent government in Northern Ireland, and who don't want to share power with gunmen.

Why should the rest of the people of Northern Ireland be held hostage by the IRA? Why should we not be allowed to proceed with the democratic process?

Kent is a different situation. I think it is fair to ask the question about Northern Ireland and Kent, but everyone would agree that Northern Ireland is uniquely different.

Everyone knows we were crap against Northern Ireland. Fans sometimes accuse us of not caring, but that is absolute rubbish. We know our fans would give their right arms to play for England and we feel exactly the same. We have put our heads on the chopping block and now we have to get ourselves out of the mess.

The external reality and inner dynamic of happenings in Northern Ireland between 1968 and 1974 were symptomatic of change, violent change admittedly, but change nevertheless, and for the minority living there, change had been long overdue.

It is unique to Northern Ireland for officers to come under live fire in what was a public order situation.