The Things People Say

About the Book

Much has been written about ‘The Troubles’ but only in recent times has text regarding the peace process in the 1990s begun to emerge. Drawing together quotations from a wide range of sources including politicians, academics, clergy, political activists, journalists and other commentators this book not only reflects key moments, arguments and issues but also represents the slow yet momentous political developments in Northern Ireland during the 1990’s.

This book also reflects key political debate and offers legitimacy to the diversity of opinions held in Northern Ireland. Views are often expressed in an articulate and eloquent manner with a sense of purpose and meaning and given the logic, belief and strength of feeling that underpins them are not out of place with the various political sensitivities of the time.

This book examines many contentious areas including victims, paramilitaries and prisoners, policing, marching and decommissioning and as much as contributors make arguments for and against, so to the reader can draw their own conclusions.

The book will prove particularly useful to those who are involved in peace building or community relations and/or who wish to gain a clearer understanding of the peace process in 1990’s Northern Ireland. It will also help you to formulate arguments, challenge opinion and confront prejudice and intolerance by reflecting on the wide range of views contained within the book that are not only reflective of the mainly Nationalist and Unionist communities but all parties who had in interest in the Peace Process.

About the Author

Born in Derry/Londonderry in 1971, Fergal is the proud father of three children, Michaela, Laya and Josh and has been involved in Youth Work full-time since leaving school in May 1987. In that time he has worked for a vast array of organisations across both statutory and voluntary sectors in diverse areas such as Education Welfare, Volunteering, Reconciliation, Conflict Management & Resolution, Community Relations, Mentoring, Street Work, Research, Participation and Rural Work. He was also a member of the Youth Council for Northern Ireland between 2000 and 2003.

Fergal is also a freelance trainer and has worked for a number of organisations ‘at home’ (Coleraine Youth Forum, Co-Operation North/Ireland, Warrington Project, NUS/USI and Foyle Youth Institute) and ‘abroad’ (Leargas, Anna Lindh Foundation, Viennese Association of Youth Clubs, ELT, Klick e.V and International Youth Institute Programme). He has co-ordinated, hosted, co/facilitated, and/or participated in more than 50 programmes since 1998 working with partner organisations in more than 20 countries. He is a registered trainer with www.salto.org/fergalbarr

Educated at St. Brigid’s College, Derry and at the University of Ulster he has Diplomas in Youth Work and Management and a Masters in Education. He is hoping to commence a PhD in 2008.

Fergal is a (sometimes suffering) life-long Liverpool supporter. Interests include football, music, travel, video-production and sarcasm! His claims to fame include undertaking a solo-fundraising walk (almost) the length of Ireland in 1988 and making legal history in Northern Ireland in 2001 by single-handedly changing Employment Law at an Industrial Tribunal.