It was the year when Sinn Fein's crucial and pivotal role in laying the foundation for the peace process became clear. But we have yet to get peace. There is a hard road yet to, be travelled. Peace means justice.
Justice demands freedom.
I extend a special word of solidarity to the families of republican prisoners, and especially those prisoners in Britain and in other jails outside Ireland. I extend a hearty cead mile failte to those who have come from prisons to this ard-fheis. We are totally committed to the release of all political prisoners. There cannot be a peace settlement without them. The most significant contribution to the peace process came on 31 August when the IRA leadership announced the cessation of military operations.