Philadelphia Here We Come!

18th March 2007

Last night we met with Irish Americans and Irish people who have made good in America like our good friend Sean Mackin who financially contributed to our trip.

It is becoming evident that Irish America is being asked to make substantial investment in Ireland if a deal is struck and the institutions are established.

It is vital that if investment is to be meaningful and make a significant and lasting difference that any investment is made on principles of equality and social need. Areas of social deprivation need to see a real peace dividend. Máirtín O Muillleoir has been promoting new McBride Principles which encourage investment on the basis of social and economic, need not because of cronyism or some other sectarian basis. This campaign needs immediate community and political support.

Obviously because of the big and brave steps taken by the nationalist and republican community in terms of embracing political change we need to see significant progress on investment in transitional mechanisms.

There must be a tangible policing dividend and peace dividend.

Victims need to have a parallel process to the political process which delivers to them - ending their silence and isolation - no matter where they come from. And this requires significant investment in projects which are supporting families in meaningful ways - supporting projects like the Pat Finucane Centre and RFJ and Justice for the Forgotten who are contributing to transition and ensuring the primacy of human rights in the new dispensation.

Today we are heading on another bus for "Philly" to address Irish Americans at a gathering there. We are very much looking forward to this. The Irish Diaspora has been essential to the movement of the Irish Peace Process. They cannot be taken for granted. The tangible and real support that these people gave to our visit this week has been astonishing. Sometimes it is easier to have a wider perspective on the real issues at stake with a bit of distance. This isn't to be confused with teary eyed sentimentality - we didn't see that - we saw real understanding of the importance of addressing outstanding issues in order to inform current instituions and vitally to secure our future stability.

By The Way - Happy Mothers Day Clara, Pauline and Theresa - who are all away from their children on this important journey.