merrion street

Following the publication of the “Loyalist Declaration of Transformation” on 9 April 2018, the Tánaiste said:

“I welcome the Loyalist Declaration issued on 9 April, coinciding with the 20th Anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement.  Leaders of loyalism played a crucial role in negotiating the Agreement and in winning the referendum that endorsed the Agreement, and this Statement reaffirms the commitment of Loyalism to the Agreement and to the peace process.

"I acknowledge and share the concern that, 20 years on from the Good Friday Agreement, there are communities that have not fully benefitted from the peace process. At this important moment, I wish to reaffirm the Irish Government’s determination to work in partnership with the British Government and representatives from all communities and sectors in Northern Ireland to address these concerns. 

"I also welcome the clear and unequivocal rejection of criminal actions from within loyalism. Giving real effect to this declaration would make a major contribution towards the transformation of loyalist communities and would be a real enabler for the social, economic and political development of Northern Ireland as a whole.

"The vision of the Good Friday Agreement was one based on inclusion, parity of esteem, power sharing, and peace and reconciliation within Northern Ireland, on the island of Ireland, and across these Islands.  I welcome this Statement as a reaffirmation on behalf of loyalism that this is our shared vision and our shared goal.”