Ireland's prosperity is dependant upon peace in the North, Minister for Foreign Affairs Dermot Ahern told the Fianna Fáil Ardfheis in Dublin today.
"On this day thirty five years ago, the British Government announced the imposition of Direct Rule on the North. I believe it's time to take power back," he told delegates in the Citywest Hotel, Saggart.
"Back into the hands of local politicians: nationalists and unionists".
Mr Ahern said Fianna Fáil would "never turn away" from the North because "Ireland without peace can never know prosperity. Because peace is the prerequisite for every element of our nation's progress.
"If we are serious about defending prosperity we must be equally serious about securing the peace."
He praised Taoiseach Bertie Ahern's role int he peace process. "No-one has done more. And no-one is needed more in these crucial hours and days of decision," the Minister for Foreign Affairs said.
Mr Ahern said Ireland now had resources to assist some of the world's poorest nations. He said Ireland is now positionioned on the world stage as:
- a bridge between the developed and developing world
- A global leader in the fight against HIV, poverty and underdevelopment
- An intermediary and facilitator in Peace Processes
- The first on the ground in a humanitarian crisis
- The model UN State for the 21st Century