Peter Brooke, Secretary of State for Northern Ireland
… I'll get tough, I'll get tough.
MT
What do you want?
Peter Brooke, Secretary of State for Northern Ireland:
When you're ready, Prime Minister. [Word inaudible.] … The Prime Minister has now been in the province for over ten hours, she has done ten things, being the Prime Minister she would now like to do an eleventh, and say a word at the end.
MT
Secretary of State, fellow Members of Parliament, Ladies and Gentlemen. It has been a very interesting visit to the province this day. As one who comes, from time to time, perhaps at least once a year, sometimes more, it is perhaps easier to spot a certain change in mood than if you're here the whole time. Just about a year ago I was in Londonderry and looking round at very successful businesses and going round shopping centres, and I was extremely pleased with the whole spirit that I found then.
I think today the outstanding impression is one of a greater confidence in the future of the province. That is very, very important. Of course it's varied. I can tell you which little group in this room has found things looking very, all things bright and beautiful at this end, and some others who still have some problems in other parts of Belfast. But the outstanding impression whenever one comes here is of the warmth and the spirit of the people, and the enormous potential when we can get terrorism beaten, the enormous potential that there is for the people of this area. The way you gather round together, of course I started in Enniskillen, where you can imagine the spirit there is wonderful. The way in fact more and more businesses from elsewhere, from Europe, from the United States, from Great Britain are realizing that there is a very good future in Northern Ireland, the housing is much cheaper, the people, the people whom you employ are very good, are delighted to have a good steady job, and industrial relations are good. I think that augurs very well for the future.
And I think the other impression, above all, is how you gather round and help one another through any difficult times you may have, how business is gathering around to help young people coming out of school to give them a hope for a job, and how you're gathering around in the rural areas. Now you can have smaller businesses which are clean, active, employ quite a lot of people, not clanking and dirty as they used to be, how you're also getting new businesses to the rural areas. I have quite an optimistic report therefore to give to you. Can I thank you so greatly for the spirit which you have communicated to me and wish you all well in the future? Thank you. [Applause.]
And, I should, I should have said it at first, I think you've got a fantastic Peter BrookeSecretary of State. Isn't he wonderful? [Applause.]
Peter Brooke, Secretary of State for Northern Ireland
Prime Minister, [word inaudible] it's not only this week that I take the view that we've got not a bad prime minister either. [Applause.]
MT
Thank you. Thank you. [Applause.]