There is a long affinity between Irish republicans and the Basque people. Each year, large numbers of Basque activists travel to Ireland to meet republican activists and to discuss the situation here and in the Basque country. I have been there several times. In June 2006 I witnessed the huge sense of excitement and expectation that existed during the period of the Eta cessation. The collapse of the cessation in December 2006 after only nine months was a huge disappointment.