John’s name will stand tall among the giants of Irish history
THE following text is an extract from the 18th Annual John Hume lecture to the MacGill Summer School delivered by former taoiseach Bertie Ahern in July 2018
THIS year (2018), we marked the 20th anniversary of the ratification by the Irish people north and south of the Good Friday Agreement on May 22, 1998, which was the first concurrent act of self-determination by the people of Ireland as a whole since 1918.
The Yes vote in the referenda of more than 85% of the total poll in the whole island of Ireland was a rare expression of near unanimity by the people of this island and a clear signal that they were not prepared to countenance any false remnant of democratic self-justification for further acts of paramilitary violence from any quarter.
The idea for concurrent referendums, north and south, and to build democratic consensus around the Good Friday Agreement belonged to John Hume, who in my view is the real hero of the peace process.
John was always an astute politician with a huge intellectual depth and someone deeply read in Irish history. He saw the dangers of militant Irish nationalism being irreversibly wedded to a distorted mandate allegedly given in the 1918 general election. He wanted to empower a new generation to write and shape their own version of history.
And for John Hume this had to be underpinned by a fair and honourable accommodation between unionists and nationalists based on partnership, co-operation and mutual respect – in relationships within Northern Ireland, between north and south, and between Ireland and Britain.
John Hume, like all of us who engaged in the Good Friday talks, had come to understand that this does not mean an end to difference. It did not spell defeat for either of the two great traditions of nationalism or unionism. Instead, it spelt victory for the people who wanted to co-exist in peace on this island.
For the peaceful vision he advocated, even through the darkest days of murder and mayhem in Northern Ireland, and for his tireless service to the Irish people, north and south, nationalist and unionist, I want to reaffirm my view that John Hume was a true Irish hero.
John Hume’s name will stand tall in our history alongside giants like Parnell, Davitt and O’Connell.
Successive taoisigh recognised John as the voice of sane and sensible constitutional nationalism. His high example of magnificent public service should be an inspiration to all of us, as we look to the future and try to uphold peace and try to deal with the challenges of Brexit and the damage done by a foolish decision to exit the EU.
In every single step of the way on the journey to peace, John Hume has been an inspirational figure, who for over 30 years served the SDLP, his constituents in Foyle and people everywhere on this island who aspired for peace through tireless labour and an unquenching desire to foster reconciliation.
At times when violence and hatred was in the ascendancy and it looked like a political solution would never be reached, John Hume stood steadfast for peace.
He had courage, he had commitment and he never gave up.
As the conflict raged in Northern Ireland, through sheer willpower the name of John Hume became synonymous around the world with the refusal to yield to those forces of hatred, of death, of darkness and destruction.
He was the philosopher, architect, and ultimately symbol of peace, and John Hume never once faltered in his insistence that dialogue was the only way forward.
He never tired in his efforts to persuade others to come round the table, never failed in his belief that a peaceful solution could be found to the problems of this island.
And for that we and future generations can be extremely grateful.
That commitment of John Hume to the achievement of a lasting peace was fully recognised in the awarding of the Nobel Peace Prize, which he was proud to share with David Trimble.
In our history, John Hume is a towering figure, a giant of peace and I hope that young people from both traditions in Northern Ireland will be inspired by John Hume’s vision, his work for equality, his dedication and enduring belief that, with effort and commitment, the people of this island can be united in peace, partnership and equality.
Northern Ireland and this island faces challenges – Brexit is one of them – but those challenges are dwarfed by the ones that we have overcome.
John Hume dedicated his political career to stopping conflict and to sowing the seeds of peace. It is a noble legacy and I am proud to have worked with him and prouder still to say this great man was my friend.