It will always be a battle a day between those who want maximum change and those who want to maintain the status quo.

Your determination, selflessness and courage have brought the freedom struggle towards its fulfilment.

Such decisions will be far reaching and difficult. But you never lacked courage in the past. Your courage is now needed for the future.

Republican patience with how unionism deals with the political institutions, and with key issues like equality and human rights, will be tested because, obviously, there will be a battle a day on these matters. So lets face up to all of this with our eyes wide open.

Sinn Fein has demonstrated the ability to play a leadership role as part of a popular movement towards peace, equality and justice.