At the end of a momentous week, Theresa Villiers reflects on the importance of the first ever state visit by the President of Ireland to the UK, saying: "The visit was a spectacular success and I felt very honoured to play a part in it."
"It was a very visible demonstration the transformation of the relationship between the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland and the bonds of friendship and mutual respect that now unite us across these islands."
"The word “historic” can sometimes be over-used but the events of recent days genuinely deserve that description. None of this would have been possible without Northern Ireland’s peace process and the political progress it has made possible. This week will be one I remember always, not least sitting in on a meeting between President Higgins and Mayor Boris where they struck up a conversation in classical Greek!"
As Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Theresa was involved in a number of events during the state visit including the State Banquets at Windsor Castle and the Guildhall.
She also gave a speech at City Hall at an event where President Higgins heard the ideas of a group of young people looking at the issues and challenges faced by both the UK and Ireland. This is what she said at the event:
"President, Mrs Higgins, Tanaiste, Minister Fitzgerald, distinguished guests, it’s a great honour for me to be here at City Hall today, and to play a part in this first ever state visit to the UK by the President of Ireland.
President, I am delighted that you’ve focused this afternoon on young people and the hugely positive role they can play in building a better future for everyone who lives in these islands.
Your visit underlines the great strength of relations between our two countries, and the bonds that unite us as good neighbours and good friends. As Northern Ireland Secretary, I see this on a constant basis in the work I do with Irish ministers on matters of mutual concern in Northern Ireland, in particular with An Tainaste, Eamon Gilmore.
The immense progress in Northern Ireland made in recent years would not have happened without close co-operation between successive UK and Irish Governments. It’s now nearly twenty years since the first ceasefires and tomorrow is the sixteenth anniversary of the Belfast/Good Friday Agreement.
We’ve come a very long way with a generation in Northern Ireland now having grown up without the constant spectre of large scale paramilitary violence. But having achieved a more peaceful and stable Northern Ireland, and a political settlement based on the democracy and consent, we now need to build a stronger economy and a genuinely shared future for all parts of the community.
And young people can play a crucial role in achieving those twin goals of reconciliation and economic renewal, as illustrated by the excellent range of ideas we have heard presented this afternoon. So I’m delighted to hear the conclusions of the workshops in which you’ve all been participating. I’d like to thank all of you who have taken part in this event and made your voice heard.
And finally may I warmly thank the President and Mrs Higgins for coming to City Hall today? London is now one of the most diverse cities in the world with millions of residents who have cultural roots and family ties with nations from all the corners of the globe.
And we’re also a great Irish city. In the past, the Irish built the roads and railways that powered the industrial revolution and made our city great, and now people of Irish nationality and heritage play a leading role in every sector of our economic, cultural and civic life.
We are hugely lucky that over many hundreds of years, so many Irish men and women have chosen to make their home in London, and your visit, President, is a tremendous opportunity to honour the immense contribution that they have made."
Theresa Villiers' Chipping Barnet constituency is part of the London Borough of Barnet which is home to a large Irish community. For example, Cricklewood has a flourishing community with Irish heritage.