I like Irvine infact he was one of my favourite characters in my mind. His job was to assasinate Edea but he failed because the pressure was too much but then what do you think anyone's reaction to that kind of pressure would be that was THE most important shot in history. Afterwards even though he managed to escape the prison and wasn't going to go back after picking up Rinoa he redeems himself by comming in all guns blazing and saving Squall & Co's asses. Enough said Squall and Co would have died without his help.