in between great britain and northern ireland. , .. between great britain and northern ireland. , ., now that the us government and joe biden's position has very much been in support, many people would say, particularly unionists would say, of the eu position on the irish government position, which has been supportive of the northern ireland protocol and has been supportive of, i suppose, maintaining an open [and border between northern ireland and the republic of ireland, sort of prioritising that. but he of course wants to see a reduction of checks and red tape on goods that are moving between great britain and northern ireland, and in terms of his speech, what is he saying, he sees the windsor framework is a way of doing that and he's supportive of that, basically saying that if it is the case that the windsor framework is supported on the northern ireland parties get back to stormont, there could be future economic opportunities, particularly investment from the us. what is it about the windsor _ investment from the us. what is it about the windsor framework - investment from the

thank you, northern ireland from the bottom of my heart. thank you, northern ireland.[applause] [applause]

today's belfast is the beating heart of northern ireland and is poised to drive unprecedented economic opportunity investment from communities across the uk , across ireland, and across the united states. the simple truth is that peace and economic opportunity go together. peace and economic opportunity go together. in 25 years since the good friday agreement, northern ireland's gross domestic product has literally doubled, double d. and i predict you if things continue to move in the right direction, it will more than triple. there are scores of major american corporations wanting to come here, wanting to invest, many have already made homes in northern ireland, employing over 30,000 people. and in just the past decade, american business has generated almost $2 billion in investment in the region. $2 billion. today, northern ireland is a churn of creativity, art, poetry , theater. some of our favorite television shows, the movies are filmed here. as you know. and i understand the star of the recent oscar winning film and somewhat of belfast barista, james martin is here today, james.

the elections herein northern ireland. the dup_ elections here in northern ireland.ill be going to deny kerry back from unionist — be going to deny kerry back from unionist voters about their concerns on the _ unionist voters about their concerns on the windsor framework and protocol — on the windsor framework and protocol. and that'll be on the top of his— protocol. and that'll be on the top of his agenda. i think that this visit _ of his agenda. i think that this visit will— of his agenda. i think that this visit will come and go. i think the joe biden— visit will come and go. i think the joe biden recognises that. he is in putting _ joe biden recognises that. he is in putting a _ joe biden recognises that. he is in putting a lot of attention here, because — putting a lot of attention here, because he knows that the potential of a us— because he knows that the potential of a us presidential visit overshooting the runway, putting too much _ overshooting the runway, putting too much pressure onjeffrey donaldson, who was— much pressure onjeffrey donaldson, who was try

we talk about what they want for the of northern ireland.— northern ireland.rn ireland. we are “ust trying to understand what _ northern ireland. we are “ust trying to understand what the _ northern ireland. we arejust trying to understand what the meeting - to understand what the meeting between rishi sunak and joe biden will characterise look like, what they will discuss. we are being told not to expect any discussion on a free—trade agreement. that's something the uk has trying to secure since the uk voted to leave the eu. something that under donald trump's president ship was talked about, and very much hope for pre—brexit anyway. about, and very much hope for pre-brexit anyway.— about, and very much hope for pre-brexit anyway. yes, and i think joe biden pre-brexit anyway. yes, and i think joe biden is— pre-brexit anyway. yes, and i think joe biden is a _ pre-brexit anyway. yes, and i think joe biden is a very _ pre-brexit anyway. yes, and i think joe biden is a very different - joe biden is a very different president to donald trump, and i thinkjoe biden�

northern ireland _ must make ireland work. northern ireland has— must make ireland work.errible abuse _ put it bluntly, with five decades of terrible abuse by _ put it bluntly, with five decades of terrible abuse by the _ put it bluntly, with five decades of terrible abuse by the unionist i terrible abuse by the unionist government— terrible abuse by the unionist government at— terrible abuse by the unionist government at stormont i terrible abuse by the unionistl government at stormont after terrible abuse by the unionist i government at stormont after 1921 which — government at stormont after 1921 which led _ government at stormont after 1921 which led to— government at stormont after 1921 which led to the _ government at stormont after 1921 which led to the civil _ government at stormont after 1921 which led to the civil rights - which led to the civil rights movement— which led to the civil rights movement and _ which led to the civil rights movement and the - which led to the civil rights i movement and the suppression which led to the civil rights - movement and the

it was quite a fleeting trip to _ northern ireland. rthern - northern ireland. it was quite a l fleeting trip to northern ireland. it didn't last more than 15 or 16 hours. and really, we only saw him for a few hours on the ground there given that address to the university, to young people. and then basically making his way out to get to the south. absent. absolutely, and i think of plans were for an extended visit but became difficult once we had to still meet in storment which means the institutions, the good friday agreement, aren't up and running. but as always, ifjove ireland —— michaeljoe biden is going to visit ireland he was always going to mark the anniversary of the good friday agreement, which was the big success for the us in terms of the effort they put into that region. so he was always going to best possible once we couldn't have the pictures of the us president giving out an address inference of functioning assembly, there was a feeling that the optics of that wouldn't really have been correct. and we had this much more s

, we have had many— is in northern ireland, we have had many others — is in northern ireland,ve had many others in the past years and decades_ many others in the past years and decades since the peace process. i think_ decades since the peace process. i think that — decades since the peace process. i think that will be welcomed as an opportunity to expose northern ireland — opportunity to expose northern ireland on the world stage and get more _ ireland on the world stage and get more people to come here and invest and that— more people to come here and invest and that will— more people to come here and invest and that will be the message from the president and those around ten as part _ the president and those around ten as part of— the president and those around ten as part of this trip and speech. there — as part of this trip and speech. there will— as part of this trip and speech. there will be those particularly on the unionist side who will see the trip more — the unionist side who will see the trip more negatively because they will see _ trip more negatively because the

how would you assess where we are now in northern ireland? n ireiand?_ northern ireland? well, it's not fair to northern ireland? well, it's not fairto really— northern ireland? well, it's not fair to reallyjudge _ northern ireland? well, it's not fair to reallyjudge any - northern ireland? well, it's not fair to really judge any type - northern ireland? well, it's not fair to really judge any type of l fair to reallyjudge any type of situation by a single event or day. the trend has been generally positive over the last decade or so. the violence has been declining certainly. there's no comparison to what was that during the troubles. there are still some individuals that feel it's justified in using violence whether it's for a political agenda or more commonly, for criminal activity, especially drug dealing. there are instruments that need to be used in order to address that. these communities need to be helpful to the police when they can and they also need to be safe in their homes. again, there's much more work to be done. it's all fixabl

do you think northern ireland will exist in 25 years? e quite honest, if there's even the smallest sliver of a possibility that if a united ireland happened, just this unrest and hatred for the other side would be put down, it would be so much better to live in a society where you don't have to live in constant fear of saying you are from the wrong side when you're in the wrong place. is that something that you think still exist? you would be afraid to say whether you are a catholic or protestant in certain areas? i've heard of friends of mine going to certain places and saying that they are protestant when they are catholic, or catholic when they're protestant, because they felt they would be under threat if they said otherwise, just because people in the environment they were in, and i think it is still a thing that people do still feel under threat in certain areas. i've never been afraid to say i'm protestant — that's my religion, that's what i believe, and i'm never been afraid because what are they going to do about it? and i think

.— northern ireland.come - resident northern ireland. great welcome president bite _ northern ireland. great welcome president bite into _ northern ireland. great welcome president bite into the _ northern ireland. great welcome president bite into the k - northern ireland. great welcome president bite into the k for- northern ireland. great welcome president bite into the k for the l president bite into the k for the fourth _ president bite into the k for the fourth time since his presidency but particularly to a part of the uk that is— particularly to a part of the uk that is very special and dear to him _ that is very special and dear to him it— that is very special and dear to him. it also reminds us of the contributions american—made to the peace _ contributions american—made to the peace process as we celebrate the 25th anniversary of the good friday agreement and president aydin and i spoke _ agreement and president aydin and i spoke a _ agreement and president aydin and i spoke a lot— agreement an

it's a wonderful opportunity now for northern ireland.e it will be embraced by all politicians. not political. i'm outside politics is a former president. i have a love for northern ireland, as i said in my inauguration in 1990, i said i want to extend the hand of friendship and love to people of northern ireland. ben: mary robinson, it is so good to have you on the program tonight. the former irish president, thank you. we were showing you that press conference at is now underway in louisville. louisville police now naming the gunman as a 23 year old. let's listen into that press conference right now. >> to tommy's family, to the families of jim, josh, juliana farmer, rachel and i join you, the families across our entire city and beyond in grieving the shocking and painful loss of your lives. the chief, the governor, myself, we visited in the hospital this morning with several of their families to offer them our support and our love during this unthinkable day. we will continue to offer our support and love and anything else we can provi

northern ireland., i think, northern ireland. that will be the hope, ithink, that northern ireland. that will be the hope, i think, that potentially some new legislation from westminster will be tied in, and then the economic incentive thatjoe biden was talking about regarding extra input and investment in northern ireland, that that can become a recipe that will tempt the politicians back to stormont, and put things back on the road there. here, instead, ithink put things back on the road there. here, instead, i think he is going to be very much focusing on his personal agenda and building up, once the rain stops, presumably, building up the photo album of images which will be important for him in terms of his own family background, but also, potentially, could be important to be played out again if and when he firms up his intention to be the democrat candidate in the next presidential election. we candidate in the next presidential election. ~ ., election. we will leave it there. the president _ ele

joe biden was in northern ireland.

without doubt in my view northern ireland has benefited - northern ireland has benefited hugely fromay agreement. i was therefore 30 years of the troubles, it was a bad and sad time for the history of northern ireland. plea the agreement business was difficult, limited foreign investment and companies were not growing. northern ireland was not on the tourist map. fast forward to following the agreement, north american organisations have invested 1.5 billion and two organisations and businesses in northern ireland. that it had people unemployed in north american organisations and two examples are all and citibank employing circa 5000 people. and tourism is on the map, and belfast alone this year 175 clue ships will dock bringing £20 million into the economy. as a result of the good friday agreement business is in a much better place. we have challenges and much to do but definitely compelling plea and post the ad very different environments. stormont assembly still suspended, still disagreements about the outcome of the framework and post—brexit bidding and agents. how important is it

thank you very much stephen deputy leader from the lines party of northern ireland. iament who was inside that pup who was roughly about 160 people gathered there waiting to either have a conversation with the us president or get a glimpse of him earlier. we saw him on the high street of dundalk where he was meeting well—wishers taking selfies with them but he is not on his way to the pub you are looking at in dundalk in how to live. we will live you with these images and christian will be giving you more updates. hello — i'm christian fraser. you're watching the context on bbc news... in times when things seem fragile or easily broken, that is when hope and hard work are needed the most. that's why we must make our theme repair. i know he shares my ambition to see the institutions here back up and running. that's what people and businesses in northern ireland deserve. this is a time for us all to be together, to be working together and to be focused on the next 25 years. so, for me, the message is lauded clear of hope, opportunity, practically, investments, we can ac

into northern ireland.ut of course those technical issues boil down to the most primordial questions here in northern ireland about borders, identity, and about feelings of britishness and irishness. brent: rosie, the role os the united states in keeping the good friday agreement intact these past 25 years, that is clear. what about the u.s. role though in northern ireland moving forward? rosie: u.s. president biden announced other would be a trade delegation of american companies coming to northern ireland later this year. he did sort of dangle that economic carrot. he said peace goes hand-in-hand with economic prosperity. but as sir jeffrey donaldson alluded to, biden was careful to seem like he was not bullying or putting pressure on any political parties here. he did not stick around to labor the point. he has already left belfast, where he will be visiting ancestral towns, addressing the irish parliament, meeting the irish prime minister and the president. plenty of talk to be expected of friendship an

up a council to develop cooperation on areas like farming and health that would benefit both northern irelandc of ireland. the third thing they set up was a british—irish council to promote the relationship between britain and ireland. also in the deal was dual british and irish citizenship for those who wanted it, a return to peacetime security arrangements, and the removal of security installations. all illegal paramilitary groups also had to destroy their weapons. i hereby give notice... a referendum was held on both sides of the border with the agreement being accepted by an overall majority. yes - 71.12%. i'm now on my way to dublin, crossing the border into the republic of ireland. it's about a 2—hour drive and i'm on my way to speak to some of the relatives of one of the people responsible for giving so many hope back in 1998. we in the stlp concluded many years ago that we couldn't lay the basis for agreement against a background of violence or disorder. that is why we entered into the process of dialogue — to do everything in our power to bring peace to our streets. 0llie, explain to

, jobs and prosperity to northern ireland.w he shares my ambition to see the institutions here back up and running. that's what people and businesses in northern ireland deserve. you're the british prime minister. why aren't we seeing more of you and him standing together, speaking together, not even going to his speech? has this trip really been worth it for you? well, it's the fourth time that president biden has visited the uk since he's become president. and he and i had a very good discussion today about a range of issues, economic investment in northern ireland, but also a range of foreign policy issues, the importance of economic security. and that comes on the back of a meeting i had with him last month in the us. i'm seeing him again next month at the g7 and then i'm going to washington injune that we are very close partners and allies. we cooperate and talk on a range of things, whether that's supporting ukraine or, as i said, economic security. i think actually the relationship is in great shape and the president an

almost encouraging fundraising for paramilitaries in northern ireland. very hard work done, particularly starting in the 70s, setting up the friends of ireland in 1976, st patrick's day, bipartisan congressional resolutions, then tighter�*s role. that has also continued ever since. —— carter�*s role. as the highest point, you saw it with bill clinton and the good friday agreement. bill clinton stayed up most of the night, and was on the phone to nudge some of the republicans, to nudge various people in one direction or another during that. to in one direction or another during that. ., , , , ., ., , that. to bring us up-to-date, it is 25 ears that. to bring us up-to-date, it is 25 years on. _ that. to bring us up-to-date, it is 25 years on. you _ that. to bring us up-to-date, it is 25 years on, you are _ that. to bring us up-to-date, it is 25 years on, you are talking - that. to bring us up-to-date, it isj 25 years on, you are talking about the nudging that the us has been able to do in the past. our important is that it had, in terms of nudging an hour,

why did biden come to northern ireland?ell, biden came to northern ireland at the invitation of the british prime minister, the decision, with whom they met a few weeks ago on the territory of the united states of america when they signed an agreement to build nuclear submarines for australia then. as a matter of fact, the son who invited biden to visit was fast on his way to the republic of ireland, where biden has a fairly large three-day almost family visit planned. he must visit places associated with and and the homeland of his ancestors, which are in the middle of the 19th century. they left ireland, fleeing hunger and went to the united states of america biden. today i really met for a short meeting with sunak over a cup of coffee. in one of the hotels it was simple and even, in fact, they did not answer questions from journalists. biden declared that he arrived with more than he says. although this is not entirely true, the moment for northern ireland is rather difficult, despite the fact that an agreement was signe

it was such a brief visit to northern ireland, there was a time for him to put a foot wrong. wrong. it was interesting listening to jeffrey _ put a foot wrong. it was interesting listening to jeffrey donaldson - put a foot wrong. it was interesting | listening to jeffrey donaldson about listening tojeffrey donaldson about his reflections after what was pretty much a brief meeting with the president, but saying it does nothing to actually change the dynamic of politics in northern ireland. that is a bleak assessment, unless positions change in the coming months. there is the potential of that because the dup still reflecting on the windsor agreement. i still reflecting on the windsor agreement-— still reflecting on the windsor a . reement. ~ , agreement. i think there will be hoinr agreement. i think there will be hoping that _ agreement. i think there will be hoping that time _ agreement. i think there will be hoping that time will— agreement. i think there will be hoping that time will be - agreement. i think there will be hoping that time will be a - agreement. i think there

i'm very happy growing up in northern ireland.othing i think that would really put me off staying here and having a family, compared to what it was, i think it's a great place to live. having hope in my middle name, i think when everyone gets to the 10th of april every year, it comes up, that 5 what it gave people, hope, every time, that life would be different. and it was, for us. the violence was rising, and so i thought, this . is doomed to failure - if we continue in this way. there were many years when hope was hard to come by. but some leaders did have ideas for a peaceful process. this man was one of them. john hume, from the social democratic and labor party, or sdlp, who were irish nationalists. i honestly think thatjohn hume had the courage of a lion to keep going. he had a vision. the key issue was reconciliation between the communities, who were deeply divided, and peace and non—violence. the most lethal paramilitary group was the irish republican army, which wanted to bring about a united ireland. in the late 1980s, j

you go in northern ireland over the next few days. — current stormont crisis. but we had three years prior to that between 2017 and — three years prior to that between 2017 and 2020. we get an overwhelming sense that even if stormont — overwhelming sense that even if stormont was to come back tomorrow, and the _ stormont was to come back tomorrow, and the dup_ stormont was to come back tomorrow, and the dup is holding up because it wants— and the dup is holding up because it wants to _ and the dup is holding up because it wants to wait to see what the government in london might do with the windsor framework which helps reduce _ the windsor framework which helps reduce checks on goods coming from gb into— reduce checks on goods coming from gb into northern ireland. but even if stormont came back tomorrow, it would _ if stormont came back tomorrow, it would not _ if stormont came back tomorrow, it would not solve all the problems around _ would not solve all the problems around the health service and the economy— around the health servic

northern ireland today has the promise of a spring time of peace. r ireland is still unresolved and there's no functioning government. the political battle between the two visions for northern ireland continues as ever today, and the fragile power—sharing partnership between unionists and nationalists set up here by the good friday agreement, has often collapsed. the agreement wasn't a settlement. the agreement was an accord to bring an end to the conflict. now the stage is set to mark the historic turning point that changed northern ireland in ways once believed impossible. for some, this anniversary is a testament to those who led northern ireland away from bombs and to the ballot box. this was an ugly conflict. it was brought to an end and that peace is worth preserving. but in a divided society, questions remain over whether the agreement of the past is now in need of reform to help unlock the political paralysis of today. emma vardy, bbc news. and we have so much more for you here on bbc news. the top business stories on next. hello there. the w

the president was heading for ulster university to reflect on northern ireland now and northern ireland the good friday agreement. every person killed in the troubles left an empty chair at their dining room table, and a hole in the heart that was never filled for the ones they lost. peace was not inevitable. we can't ever forget that. listening outside, the good friday agreement generation born in an era of relative peace. but people here have been without devolved government, a key part of the agreement, for over a year. president biden told us what he thought about this. but listen to how carefully he weighted his words. as a friend, i hope it's not too presumptuous for me to say that i believe democratic institutions established through the good friday agreement remain critical to the future of northern ireland. an effective devolved government that reflects the people of northern ireland and is accountable to them. a government that works to find ways through hard problems together that's going to draw even greater opportunity in this region. so i hope the assembly and the executiv

i'm very happy growing up in northern ireland. nothing i think that would really put me off staying here and having a family, compared to what it was, i think it's a great place to live. having hope in my middle name, i think when everyone gets to the 10th of april every year, it comes up, that s what it gave people, hope, every time, that life would be different. and it was, for us. the violence was rising, - and so i thought, this is doomed to failure if we - continue in this way. there were many years when hope was hard to come by. but some leaders did have ideas for a peaceful process. this man was one of them. john hume, from the social democratic and labor party, or sdlp, who were irish nationalists. i honestly think thatjohn hume had the courage of a lion to keep going. he had a vision. the key issue was reconciliation between the communities, who were deeply divided, and peace and non—violence. the most lethal paramilitary group was the irish republican army, which wanted to bring about a united ireland. in the late 1980s,

use its transatlantic leverage to try to ensure the peace holds, despite political tensions in northern irelandmy guest is us congressman richard neal, a democrat and co—chair of the friends of ireland caucus group. to what extent is the wider us—uk relationship tied to the situation in northern ireland? congressman richard neal in springfield, massachusetts, welcome to hardtalk. pleased to be with you. well, it's a pleasure to have you on the show. what doesjoe biden�*s determination to be on the island of ireland to mark this 25th anniversary of the good friday agreement, what does it tell us about the priority he puts on doing what he can to maintaining the solidity of the peace there? well, i think it's a historic anniversary and i think america served as an honest broker through the negotiations and they were able through, i think, strategy and patience to bring about a successful conclusion to the agreement, recalling that before the agreement, there were 30,000 british soldiers in an area the size of our state of connecticut. there were 106 military installations, there was a royal ulste

rest of you came to northern ireland. but of course, those technical issues boil down to the most primordial of questions here in northern ireland and back borders and identity and about feelings of britishness and of irishness. in rosie the wall of the united states in keeping the good friday agreement intact these past 25 years. i mean that is clear. what about the role of the u. s. though in northern ireland moving for? so yes, president joe biden announced that there will be a trade delegation of american companies coming to north island later in this year, and he did sort of dangle that economic carrot there. he said that piece goes hand in hand with economic prosperity. but us to jeffrey jonathan alluded to biden was careful not to seem like he was bullying or putting pressure on any of the political parties here. and frank, he did not stick around to labor. the point he is already left belfast crossing the republic of ireland where he will be ringing piece bells and visiting ancestral tones. he will be addressing t

i'm wondering, was it coming from the republic of ireland, northern ireland, the u. k. or from the united states? i think the irish government was crucially important and they convinced the european union the european commission that this was a vital issue for ireland as a member of state that a hired border and not be re established on the island of ireland. and that the good friday agreement to be protected and old old, the good friday agreement does not. specifically a, you know, the european union was not a direct involved in negotiation. nonetheless, joint membership of the united kingdom and the republic of ireland in the european union was a really important framework for that agreement. and when the payment was signed, it was understood that all of these new institutions would operate in a context in which ireland and the u. k. were both members of the european union with the united kingdom's exit from the european union. it raised obstacles to the continuing functioning of these institutions. and of these very easy cross border relations within ireland. and now

in 2028 we want to create new memories for a new generation across england, scotland, wales, northern irelandson is with me, because he has been watching president biden�*s speech, i will ask you to comment first on this footballing moment. it is not often that i would castigate a dear colleague, but did you describe that as a small news?! john lloyd i can tell you, for millions of us football fans... i lloyd i can tell you, for millions of us football fans. . .— of us football fans. .. i am a massive _ of us football fans. .. i am a massive football _ of us football fans. .. i am a massive football fan! - of us football fans. .. i am a - massive football fan! seriously, for fans across — massive football fan! seriously, for fans across the _ massive football fan! seriously, for fans across the islands, _ massive football fan! seriously, for fans across the islands, the - massive football fan! seriously, for fans across the islands, the island l fans across the islands, the island of ireland and the rest of the british isles, it is huge, and because one of the products, one of the british pro

he was careful with what he said in northern ireland.he was south of the border, he could relax and so could those coming to greet him. the body language was completely different. despite the grisly weather earlier, he was saying to people, i do not know why anybody ever left ireland. he cannot understand why his ancestors had gone to america. he never stopped talking about how proud he is of his irish roots and is telling people he may be the most irish american president with the possible exception of john f. kennedy. he says it feels like coming home. he is not the only american who can claim irish roots. over 30 million americans would describe themselves as irish. although this is largely a personal trip, has played well with a large part of the electorate who also associate themselves with ireland. dave: many thanks. he is one of the world's richest men, the owner of spacex, tesla and twitter. when elon musk speaks, his words have the ability to move money markets. last october, he bought twitter for around $44 million. he immediat

we want to see northern ireland succeed, we want to see the republic of ireland suck see.ucceed. this is our closest friends, ourfamily, closest friends, our family, people closest friends, ourfamily, people with whom we speak mostly the same language. we are invested in seeing it succeed. we are not a signatory to the agreement. i think a lot of folks in my country don't recognise that. we did, i think — i'd like to think — we helped get it created and get it signed. but we didn't sign it. we are here as an interested third party to try and make sure that communications continue to the extent we can be helpful, and moving towards the goals of the good friday accords that the belfast agreement was to go ahead and cease the troubles and bring some political stability. if we can continue to do that, we will. can continue to do that, we will, . . can continue to do that, we will. ., ., , ., can continue to do that, we will. ., ., , . will. so what are you expecting joe biden will. so what are you expecting joe biden to — will. so what are you expecting joe biden to say _ will

i see no chance of a political agreement in northern ireland until then. british government expresses its willingness to repair the damage from the new customs regulations. he hates the united kingdom, i don't think there is any doubt about it and his coming to northern ireland. will not put any pressure on the democratic unionist party, quite the contrary, because that many people consider biden a supporter of the nationalist republicans of the american administration, even had to make excuses for his president in order not to overshadow his visit . process of northern ireland, he maintained contact with the leaders of all the northern irish parties, but nevertheless that's to overshadow biden's visit. we tried not only realists, but also supporters of the republican form of existence. i kiss a single island called ireland london coast. on monday there were protests. one of the police cars was burned there and on the eve of biden's visit. the police found, again in london, about four explosive devices that were located on the territory of the city cemeter

i celebrate were it not for the women of northern ireland.— of northern ireland.in _ of northern ireland. i remember starting in 1995, _ of northern ireland. i remember starting in 1995, meeting - of northern ireland. i remember starting in 1995, meeting with i starting in 1995, meeting with protestant and catholic women, mothers, and daughters, sisters, aunts, friends, who may have attended different churches on sunday but seven days a week prayed that their husbands and sons, their friends, we'd come back and forth from work, from shopping, peacefully. prayed for a better future for their children and grandchildren. women like the late mo mowlam, pat hume, determined, unstoppable forces for peace. and joyce mccartan, who brought together protestant and catholic women in a safe house where they realised they all wanted the same things, good jobs, good schools, peaceful, secure neighbourhoods, streets you could walk safely down. doctor claire rice is also in belfast from liverpool university, she specialises in northern irish politics and told me why she thinks th

d o set up a new government that would share power between protestant and catholic factions. northern ireland is part of the united kingdom, but many in the catholic minority resented british rule and wanted to be part of the sovereign republic of ireland. where now there are worries that breaks. it may have put that hard one piece at risk. the w's beer get mass to night has more from belfast. lately hold boxing club used to be staunchly protestant. to day. young boxes from all areas of belfast are allowed to train here, including catholics. young people in northern ireland often grow largely segregated with catholics and protestants. going to different schools can hear them. kids were involved. ha ha, ha ha. and here that word have got to meet each other. neither there meets they would never of not each other, just want to speak a fail thought. all the young men and boys here are aware of potential threats. if you're past in certain areas that are conflict or partisan. um, if they know your protestant that might not like it for most of the time, it's not like that. they're sort of um, comp t

— right now with britain northern ireland in— right now with britain northern ireland in ironings well. what is i interesting about it is that we may be celebrating this historic agreement and politics at a stalemate in northern ireland and we know the fallout of the brexit trade arrangement still causing so many problems and as a if anything, it really underlines the importance of the bilateral deal and different countries and in this case between the uk and the european union. indeed it does it is a sign of the time _ indeed it does it is a sign of the time when _ indeed it does it is a sign of the time when both— indeed it does it is a sign of the time when both ireland - indeed it does it is a sign of the time when both ireland and i indeed it does it is a sign of the i time when both ireland and the uk were in_ time when both ireland and the uk were in the — time when both ireland and the uk were in the european— time when both ireland and the uk were in the european union- time when both ireland and the uk were in the european union and i time when both ireland and the uk w

s. president joe biden begins a 4 day trip, both to northern ireland and the republic of ireland and northern ireland marks the 25th anniversary of the landmark good friday peace agreement that largely ended 3 decades of bloodshed. now on april 10th, 1998, the irish british prime minister side the deal to set up a new government that would share power between protestant and catholic factions. it was later ratified by a referendum northern ireland is part of the united kingdom, but many of the catholic minority want to be part of the sovereign republic of arnold. now, there are worries that brags it may have put that fragile piece at risk. lately hold boxing club used to be staunchly protestant to day. young boxes from all areas of belfast are allowed to train here, including catholics. young people in northern ireland often group largely segregated with catholics and protestants going to different schools, if any of them had written valor of each other. ha ha. and here that is word of got to meet each other, neither their me, they would never of not each other. just want to make the

they continue to boycott northern ireland street. no government. political stability is really important for all businesses. so i would like this, this, this whole question put to bed as we would say, finished sorted, i agreed. and let's get on with the, let's get on the show. george loud in hopes that political problems caused by dregs . it can be solved so that he can focus on growing his business. for more on this, i'm joined by mike holly, clifford kuhn in in studio corporate. want to talk about briggs it in just a moment. but can you give us 1st an idea of what extent the good friday agreement has helped economy in northern ireland? but i think the northern ours economy is transformed economy. it's a fragile transformation and there's still a lot of issues there. but peace has completely changed the economy. i remember going there in, in the late ninety's, you will get stopped at the border by the soldiers. there were constant security checks and it was very difficult to get anything done because the 2 communities were so at odd

i had never actuallyj been to northern ireland untili been to northern ireland until i became in oppositionm, who became secretary of state, of course. when i first visited there, i thought i was entering another country, different world altogether. police stations were like fortresses. the city centre in belfast could be deserted because of the bomb scare. restaurants were not opening. it was simply on another planet. i was totally amazed that this was part of my country, part of the united kingdom. had this been in surrey, wales, the midlands or wherever, i think i would have been more astonished but i was really surprised with what i saw. and as the months wore on when i did the job, i realised that people genuinely and seriously wanted to change but after 30 years of conflict, real deep conflict between people, it was not easy to overcome. you have a unique situation and that you were in the room seeing this all play out. you talk there the whale, the general will for change. i wonder how much actually came to the actual personalities in the room and they were such huge personalities, w