but i also recognise that we were trying to get their goal. i used to see people from other parties, talking to people, and saying to them afterwards, do you not know who they are? these are some of the most wanted people in europe, and you don t even know you re talking to. the ulster unionist party, led by david trimble, was the largest unionist group, and took the risk of remaining. if you had come to the conclusion that the only way you could defend your interests was to physically be at the table and negotiate them, that meant swallowing a lot of very difficult things, including the fact that we had people in that building whom we knew had significant terrorist involvement, but they would not have been in that building had they been winning the fight on the ground.
that we were trying to get their goal. i used to see people from other parties, talking to people, and saying to them afterwards, do you not know who they are? these are some of the most wanted people in europe, and you don t even know you re talking to. the ulster unionist party, led by david trimble, was the largest unionist group, and took the risk of remaining. if you had come to the conclusion that the only way you could defend your interests was to physically be at the table and negotiate them, that meant swallowing a lot of very difficult things, including the fact that we had people in that building whom we knew had significant terrorist involvement, but they would not have been in that building had they been winning the fight on the ground. during those momentous days, the peace process was a big
that we were trying to get to a goal. i used to laugh because i used to see people from other parties, talking to people, and saying to them afterwards, do you not know who they are? these are some of the most wanted people in europe, and you don t even know you re talking to. the ulster unionist party, led by david trimble, was the largest unionist group, and took the risk of remaining. if you had come to the conclusion that the only way you could defend your interests was to physically be at the table and negotiate them, that meant swallowing a lot of very difficult things, including the fact that we had people in that building whom we knew had significant terrorist involvement, but they would not have been in that building had they been winning the fight on the ground. during those momentous days, the peace process was a big topic
but the dup remains the largest unionist group, so it still has a veto. power sharing here has always been fragile. devolution has only been fully operating for little more than two out of the last six years. one of the biggest consequences has been a delay to health service reforms. northern ireland has the longest hospital waiting times in the uk. stephen s daughter abigail has spent most of her life on various waiting lists. it s a lot of stress that the family don t need, because looking after abigail is stressful enough. but you have the added pressure then of chasing consultants, chasing waiting lists, trying to fight to get her onto a waiting list. it s just been living hell. and business leaders say repeated problems at stormont are putting off potential investors. we understand there are difficult political issues there, but for businesses,
nationalist party ever to win the most seats. but the dup remains the largest unionist group, so it still has a veto. power sharing here has always been fragile. devolution has only been fully operating for little more than two out of the last six years. one of the biggest consequences has been a delay to health service reforms. northern ireland has the longest hospital waiting times in the uk. stephen s daughter abigail has spent most of her life on various waiting lists. it s a lot of stress that the family don t need, because looking after abigail is stressful enough. but you have the added pressure then of chasing consultants, chasing waiting lists, trying to fight to get her onto a waiting list. it s just been living hell. and business leaders say repeated problems at stormont are putting off potential investors.