Now the Foot and Mouth disease crisis has overtaken politics as the main concern. We have had to cancel a number of events. In common with everyone else in the UK, and now in Europe, we hold our breath while a solution is sought. On the political front the de-commissioning of terrorist weapons is still the major issue and the sticking point hindering the peace process. Somehow the impasse has to be broken.
Some recent moves are a little encouraging.
We may be edging a little further towards the lasting peace we all crave. Against such a politically delicate background, it is frankly surprising how effective the Assembly has been. Decisions are taken, sessions are held, debates concluded and the machinery of Government moves. The new Department for Culture, Arts and Leisure has created a vital central co-ordinating point for cultural affairs. We have been discussing with the Department how the British Council can help in their efforts to promote Northern Ireland s arts and culture overseas.