MANY of us have Irish blood in us, which makes us very happy for the good news about the return of power-sharing in Northern Ireland.

Present politicians who have been able to bring this about can all be very proud of the part they have played and thankful, with us, for the efforts of all those across the political landscape who worked so tirelessly during the terrible troubles and suffering.

There have been too many to mention, most of all those who lost loved ones. But among politicians, Mo Mowlam, the late Redcar Labour MP and former Northern Ireland Secretary, former Prime Minister John Major and earlier Irish politicians come to mind on this side of the Atlantic and Bill Clinton on the other. He stemmed the financial support for the conflict which flowed from America.

The best achievements are made when we do not allow our individual differences to stop us working together for the common good.

Political and religious ones often do.

George Appleby, Clifton, York.