Actually, Jake-the-peg, your last sentence is completely misconceived.
The Good Friday Peace Agreement to which you infer was begun under John Major (Conservative Prime Minister, 1992-97) and President Bill Clinton of the United States, as well as Bertie Aherne, of the Irish Republic, who together worked tirelessly towards some form of peaceful settlement following "undercover" negotiations between British Intelligence Services and the IRA. The final terms of the Good Friday Agreement was therefore a formality which allowed for Tony Blair (the incoming British Prime Minister) to become a joint signatory, along with Gerry Adams, Martin McGuinness, Rev. Ian Paisley, et al.
For further details on this momentous achievement, visit Stormont Castle outside Belfast, and bear witness to the historic Document for yourself.