Menu
30/04/2013
Villiers Calls For 'Sectarian-Free' NI
Northern Ireland Secretary of State Theresa Villiers has called on MLAs to work together towards a sectarian-free Northern Ireland.
Noting that some young people involved in disorder this year were born after the peace process, Ms Villiers said lawlessness sends a negative message round the world.
Her message came yesterday in a speech marking the 15th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement.
The NI Secretary held meetings yesterday with Irish Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs & Trade Eamon Gilmore, as well as the First and deputy First Ministers of Northern Ireland.
She said trouble on the streets was being beamed around the world via international media, and that it was negatively affecting Northern Ireland's reputation and its ability to compete economically.
The announcement follows revelations by Ms Villiers in April that funding for Northern Ireland could be withdrawn if progress on creating a 'shared future' was not realised.
Alliance OFMDFM spokesperson Chris Lyttle responded to Ms Villiers' comments by calling for an "overarching Shared Future strategy to show that the Executive is united."
Chris Lyttle MLA said: "I welcome the comments from the Secretary of State in highlighting one of the biggest challenges facing our Executive. We won’t achieve what we want for Northern Ireland if we don’t address this issue.
“There is a need for an overarching Shared Future strategy to show that the Executive is united on agreeing a way forward on this. My Alliance colleagues the Ministers for Justice and Employment and Learning, are progressing a shared future in their Departments, but this is because they are choosing to do so rather than because they are following an Executive agreed action plan.
"It is nearly a year since Alliance left the working group to produce a revised CSI document as it was clear that it would not produce a challenging enough document. It appears that no progress has been made by the parties that remain in this working group which is why the First and deputy First Minister must agree to a new process with politicians and members of civic society working together in an open and transparent manner to produce a new strategy."
(IT/CD)
Noting that some young people involved in disorder this year were born after the peace process, Ms Villiers said lawlessness sends a negative message round the world.
Her message came yesterday in a speech marking the 15th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement.
The NI Secretary held meetings yesterday with Irish Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs & Trade Eamon Gilmore, as well as the First and deputy First Ministers of Northern Ireland.
She said trouble on the streets was being beamed around the world via international media, and that it was negatively affecting Northern Ireland's reputation and its ability to compete economically.
The announcement follows revelations by Ms Villiers in April that funding for Northern Ireland could be withdrawn if progress on creating a 'shared future' was not realised.
Alliance OFMDFM spokesperson Chris Lyttle responded to Ms Villiers' comments by calling for an "overarching Shared Future strategy to show that the Executive is united."
Chris Lyttle MLA said: "I welcome the comments from the Secretary of State in highlighting one of the biggest challenges facing our Executive. We won’t achieve what we want for Northern Ireland if we don’t address this issue.
“There is a need for an overarching Shared Future strategy to show that the Executive is united on agreeing a way forward on this. My Alliance colleagues the Ministers for Justice and Employment and Learning, are progressing a shared future in their Departments, but this is because they are choosing to do so rather than because they are following an Executive agreed action plan.
"It is nearly a year since Alliance left the working group to produce a revised CSI document as it was clear that it would not produce a challenging enough document. It appears that no progress has been made by the parties that remain in this working group which is why the First and deputy First Minister must agree to a new process with politicians and members of civic society working together in an open and transparent manner to produce a new strategy."
(IT/CD)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
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.
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.
22 September 2022
New Mainstreaming Shared Education Strategy Released
A new Mainstreaming Shared Education Strategy, setting out the vision and plans for embedding Shared Education throughout the Northern Ireland education system, has been announced by Education Minister Michelle McIlveen Launching the strategy during a visit to a shared education partnership between St Patrick’s and Ballynahinch Primary Schools, Min
New Mainstreaming Shared Education Strategy Released
A new Mainstreaming Shared Education Strategy, setting out the vision and plans for embedding Shared Education throughout the Northern Ireland education system, has been announced by Education Minister Michelle McIlveen Launching the strategy during a visit to a shared education partnership between St Patrick’s and Ballynahinch Primary Schools, Min
23 September 2010
Communities Are 'Shared Neighbourhoods'
Fourteen housing areas from across Northern Ireland have been announced as the latest participants in a major £1m initiative designed to support and encourage 'shared neighbourhoods' across Northern Ireland.
Communities Are 'Shared Neighbourhoods'
Fourteen housing areas from across Northern Ireland have been announced as the latest participants in a major £1m initiative designed to support and encourage 'shared neighbourhoods' across Northern Ireland.
13 June 2005
The 2005 Birthday Honours List for Northern Ireland
The full list of recipients of honours in the 2005 Birthday Honours list for Northern Ireland is as follows: Knighthood: Mr Hugh Orde OBE, Chief Constable, Police Service of Northern Ireland - for services to Northern Ireland. CBE: Mr Robert David Stewart Campbell, Belfast - For Political and public service.
The 2005 Birthday Honours List for Northern Ireland
The full list of recipients of honours in the 2005 Birthday Honours list for Northern Ireland is as follows: Knighthood: Mr Hugh Orde OBE, Chief Constable, Police Service of Northern Ireland - for services to Northern Ireland. CBE: Mr Robert David Stewart Campbell, Belfast - For Political and public service.
09 May 2011
Taoiseach Welcomes NI Election Results
Ireland's Prime Minister, the Taoiseach Enda Kenny, has congratulated all of those elected to the Northern Ireland Assembly. In a statement he said: "I would like to congratulate all 108 successful candidates in the Northern Ireland Assembly elections.
Taoiseach Welcomes NI Election Results
Ireland's Prime Minister, the Taoiseach Enda Kenny, has congratulated all of those elected to the Northern Ireland Assembly. In a statement he said: "I would like to congratulate all 108 successful candidates in the Northern Ireland Assembly elections.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:It will be cloudy again throughout the day. Mainly dry in the morning, but patchy drizzle in places, becoming more widespread and persistent in the afternoon. Freshening southwesterly winds. Maximum temperature 12 °C.Tonight:Cloudy with a spell of heavy rain pushing south through late evening and the early hours, followed by some clear spells. Minimum temperature 6 °C.
