Leo hails Peace Process in speech to UN

LEO Varadkar hailed the Good Friday Agreement for bringing peace following ‘decades of bitter violence’.

In an address to the United Nations in New York, the Taoiseach said there was closer co-operation between the North and the Republic in the 20 years after the 1998 agreement was signed.

He told more than 70 heads of state that it brought co-operation in the powersharing Northern Ireland Assembly ‘at least, most of the time’.

In his address to the Nelson Mandela Peace Summit, the Fine Gael leader said: ‘The Northern Ireland peace process was advanced with the wisdom and assistance of friends from around the world, including you [South African] President Ramaphosa.’

During his time at the summit, Mr Varadkar is meeting world leaders in a bid to win a seat for Ireland on the UN Security Council.

We will be competing for one of two seats available for the 2021-22 term with Canada and Norway. Mr Varadkar arrived in New York on Sunday for the annual UN General Assembly.

Yesterday he said: ‘With each of you today, I reaffirm that Ireland will continue to uphold the ideals of the United Nations and work with the international community to achieve the aims that Mandela himself worked so tirelessly for during his lifetime.

‘In Mandela’s story, we recognise the struggles and triumphs of one individual, and the challenges and hope for mankind.’

Mr Varadkar will hold other discussions with leaders during his time in New York.