IRISH GOVERNMENT HOLD BI-LATERAL TALKS

THE Irish Government held separate bi-lateral meetings this week with Northern Ireland’s Secretary of State Dr John Reid and Sinn Féin.

Irish Foreign Minister Brian Cowen met with Secretary of State Dr John Reid to review the impact of the Westminster and local government elections on the future of the Good Friday Agreement.

It is thought they discussed future strategies on the peace process involving the British and Irish Governments.

These government talks took place just the day after David Trimble confirmed his decision to resign his position as First Minister of the Northern Ireland Executive and precipitate a crisis in those institutions. With this resignation imminent, the peace process has undergone a sequence of acceleration tactics.

This week Dr Reid made calls on all the political parties involved in the Northern Ireland Assembly next week to step up negotiations to resolve the current stalemate issues on decommissioning, policing and British Army demilitarisation.

Speaking after the meeting in Dublin Dr Reid said: "The partnership between the two Governments has been the bedrock of the Agreement and obviously together we have a key role to play in taking it forward.

"As Governments we need to listen to what the electorate has said. People are frustrated. They still support the Agreement. They don't want us to tear that up and go back to the drawing board, but they do want us to deliver that Agreement in full.

"So we need to see how we can redouble our efforts and use the influence we have to resolve the outstanding issues."

Brian Cowen said: “I am asking everyone, now that they have come from their election contest to recognise the big picture. The people want to see this Agreement in place, in full, working as envisaged, and to do that everyone is going to have to stretch to meet their responsibilities which they all know they have.”

Sinn Féin also met with Taoiseach Bertie Ahern for talks. Sinn Féin president Gerry Adams brought with him to the talks MPs Martin McGuinness, Mr Pat Doherty and Ms Michelle Gildernew. Speaking before their meeting with the Irish premier, Martin McGuinness said if Mr Trimble carried out his threat it would be "an absolute abdication of his responsibility as someone who has signed up to the Good Friday Agreement". (AMcE)