Taoiseach Welcomes UDA Decommissioning

The Taoiseach, Mr Brian Cowen TD, has welcomed the announcement that the UDA has decommissioned all of the weapons under its control.

The Taoiseach said:

“The completion of the decommissioning process by the UDA is a further significant milestone in the peace process. Taken together with the completion of decommissioning by the IRA and the UVF, it is a clear signal that Northern Ireland has moved on and that the democratic institutions established by the Good Friday Agreement are the means through which the entire community in Northern Ireland, and the people of these islands, can and will build lasting peace and prosperity.

At a time such as this, while we welcome progress, it is also very important we remember all of the victims of the conflict. They are in our thoughts and prayers. We must now renew our commitment to ensure that future generations do not suffer as they have.

I commend the leadership shown by all of those in the loyalist community who worked to achieve UDA decommissioning . I would like to thank Lord Eames and Sir George Quigley for their contributions as witnesses to decommissioning and for their ongoing contribution to the work for peace and prosperity. I wish to pay a particular tribute to Dr Martin McAleese and those who worked with him for their outreach and confidence-building work. I would also like to thank General John deChastelain and his team for their patience and dedication over the years. There is still much important work to be done to bring communities closer together and to secure lasting reconciliation.

We must renew our focus now on embedding the benefits of peace in all communities in Northern Ireland. The Irish Government has always been clear that the peace process must leave nobody behind. We will continue to play our part in building new relationships and a better, shared future for everyone. ”