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04 Oct 2025
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04 Oct 2025
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Minister James Lawless with Senator George Mitchell, at Hillsborough Castle. Photo supplied by the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Scienc
A Senator who chaired the talks leading to the Good Friday Agreement back in 1998 has been honoured by a Kildare TD.
The Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science James Lawless TD (Fianna Fáil) addressed an event at Queen’s University Belfast on Wednesday, April 16 last, which honoured Senator George Mitchell’s role in the Good Friday Agreement.
The event brought together pupils and young people from schools across the island of Ireland for an address by Senator Mitchell.
Thematically, the event focused on the legacy of the agreement, while also encouraging a new generation to build on its legacy.
Speaking at the event, Minister Lawless said: "I am taken by the title of today’s event — 'Passing the Torch'. Responsibility for sustaining peace now rests with all of us living on this island."
Addressing Senator Mitchell, Minister Lawless said: "You were the person who enabled their participation and gave voice to people who were marginalised in a divided community.
"You created the context, where the focus shifted from the past to the future. You never sought for any person to forget their past and heritage; you painted the future for all."
Minister Lawless meets Queen's University Belfast students Ellen McDonald, Riona McFadden, Lily Anderson, Cristabel Bakare. Photo supplied by the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science
Continuing his speech, Minister Lawless said: "The young people in this room are the future of this island. The leaders, the thinkers, the makers, the creators.
"Whether from Cork or Derry, Dublin or Downpatrick — they all have something in common: they are the generation who can build a future that is more inclusive, more connected, and more united in purpose than ever before."
"We’ve come a long way. But there’s more to do — and the journey belongs to them now," he concluded.
The Minister’s engagements later continued with a series of meetings with the Vice Chancellor of Queen’s University Belfast, Professor Sir Ian Greer, and his staff.
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