24/10/2001

UUP ministers' return injects fresh hope for Assembly

Ulster Unionist leader David Trimble has renominated ministers from his party to return to the Northern Ireland Executive.

From Wednesday October 24, UUP Ministers Sir Reg Empey, Sam Foster and Michael McGimpsey will occupy the posts they vacated last week.

News of the UUP return to the executive has injected fresh hope into a previously failing peace process, which was facing a make or break future come Thursday midnight as a result of the UUP pullout.

Mr Trimble told British Prime Minister Tony Blair and the House of Commons during question time that he was renominating his ministers in response to the IRA announcement.

He said an “important step” had been taken in Northern Ireland yesterday but it was “not the end of the road.”

Mr Trimble said: "In response to that and in the interests of good government and entirely without prejudice to the decision that will be taken by my party on Saturday, I have earlier this afternoon nominated again the Ulster Unionist ministers in the Executive.”

Speaking later on Wednesday the Secretary of State said Tuesday’s move by the IRA was “unprecedented and generally historic, taking the peace process onto a new political level.”

He added: “A historic milestone has been passed. Yesterday’s IRA move is an affirmation by the republican movement that it cannot operate in both the paramilitary and political worlds.”

Also addressing the House of Commons on Wednesday the Northern Ireland Secretary of State confirmed the removal of four security installations in Northern Ireland. (AMcE)

Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.

18 October 2001
Midnight withdrawal of UUP ministers
Ulster Unionist Party leader David Trimble has announced the resignation of the three UUP ministers in the Northern Ireland’s power sharing executive. Mr Trimble made the announcement at Stormont around 4pm on Thursday October 18. He said that resignation letters from all ministers had been lodged and would take effect as of midnight tonight.
18 April 2003
Adams claims IRA response is ‘unparalleled’
Sinn Féin president Gerry Adams has told a meeting of party members that the IRA statement issued to the British and Irish governments contained elements that were “unparalleled” in republican history. Mr Adams attending a meeting held in a Newry hotel maintained that the IRA statement was both “clear and unambiguous”.
30 November 2022
SDLP Proposes Zero Pay For MLAs Who Block Appointment Of A Speaker
The SDLP have submitted a suite of amendments to the Northern Ireland Executive Formation Bill. The amendments would see the pay of MLAs who vote against all candidates for the office of Speaker, thereby vetoing the return of the Northern Ireland Assembly, reduced to zero.
29 May 2012
Access To Republic Of Ireland Digital TV Channels Confirmed For Northern Ireland
TV viewers in Northern Ireland will be able to watch TG4 and RTÉ One and Two on Freeview following digital TV switchover, the UK Government confirmed today.
25 October 2001
DUP Ministers return to Northern Ireland Executive
The Democratic Unionist Party have re-appointed two Ministers to sit on the power-sharing Executive of the Northern Ireland Assembly.