Lord David Trimble, who passed away on Monday of this week, will be remembered primarily as one of the leading figures in the negotiations which led to the 1998 Good Friday Agreement  and the beginning of the end for the conflict, often referred to as "The Troubles" in my home country of Northern Ireland.

David Trimble was a native of Bangor in County Down and for many years pursued the twin careers of lecturing in Law at Queen's University, Belfast and becoming a prominent figure in Unionist politics, eventually being elected to the leadership of the Ulster Unionist Party. Often regarded as a hardliner politically, he surprised many by becoming working closely with John Hume, leader of the Social Democratic and Labour Party and someone who was highly regarded in Nationalist circles and on the wider political stage. Later, he also met with Sinn Fein President, Gerry Adams, who represented the more extreme Republican position. For their efforts in the negotiations which led to the signing of the agreement, David Trimble and John Hume were both awarded the Nobel Peace Prize.  After being elevated to the House of Lords under the title Baron Trimble of Lisnagarvey, David continued to be an articulate spokesman on behalf of his native country.

On a personal level, I met David on a few occasions, especially during my own involvement in Unionist politics at university and later, after the signing of the Good Friday Agreement. Today, my thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends and I also remember with gratitude his contribution to the peace process which brought an end to the violent situation in which I spent much of my life and promised a better future for my homeland.