Terrorists love a vacuum. I know that from my own experience in Northern Ireland. And it's the same throughout the world.

This isn't just an award to David Trimble and myself. It's an award to all the people of Northern Ireland and to all the parties that have participated in the peace process and to both governments.

It is also perhaps fitting that here in Northern Ireland a good part of our discussions focused on the Middle East,

Yet here we are for all the difficulties in Northern Ireland able to point back to real improvements in the security and the standards of living,

This year, 2006, is a very decisive year for Northern Ireland.

It is important to remember that this was not across the province. It was isolated. Most of Northern Ireland got on with its life untroubled by these very serious issues,