Statement by Minister McEntee on the 28th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement

Statement by Minister McEntee on the 28th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement

• From: Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade

• Published on: 10 April 2026
• Last updated on: 10 April 2026

Today marks 28 years since the signing of the Good Friday Agreement. It remains a remarkable achievement and something all too rare: a peace agreement that has endured.

At its core, the Agreement was about a shared hope for a better future for the people of Northern Ireland and the whole island. It required determination and courage. Political leaders, civil society and citizens all took important steps forward, supported every step of the way by the international community.

This anniversary gives us a chance to reflect on the patience, persistence and brave leadership that made peace possible, one that many once believed could never be achieved.

No peace agreement can heal the deep divisions caused by decades of conflict overnight. The Agreement set out an ambitious vision, aiming to build a more reconciled and connected society, work that must be continually renewed, strengthened and adapted to meet the needs of today.

Reconciliation takes time; it is work that spans generations. Last month, I was proud to launch a new strategy for my Department's Reconciliation Fund. When I meet community organisations working to bring people together across the island, I see determination, creativity and hope. We will continue to support these efforts, both through the Reconciliation Fund and the Government's flagship Shared Island Initiative.

For many years, dealing effectively with the legacy of the past was a missing part of the peace process. The Joint Framework on Legacy, agreed last September by the Irish and British governments, represents an important step forward. If it is fully and properly implemented, I believe it can help provide victims of the Troubles with access to truth, accountability, and, where possible, justice.

The Good Friday Agreement has changed this island for the better in profound ways. As a foundational document, it places an ongoing responsibility on political leaders across the island. I, and the Government, remain fully committed to its path and to ensuring it is fully implemented.