St Andrews 'pivotal moment' states Hain

Northern Ireland Secretary Peter Hain has told the House of Commons that the St Andrews accord may be viewed as a "pivotal moment" in the history of Ireland.

Delivering his statement in the wake of the meeting of political parties with the Prime Minister and the Taoiseach in Scotland last week, Mr Hain told MPs: "Between 11th and 13th of October in St Andrews both British and Irish Governments engaged intensively, late into the night and from early morning, with the Northern Ireland political parties.

"That we were able to defy the sceptics and cynics, and secure the St Andrews Agreement, opens the way to a new dawn for democracy in Northern Ireland. A new democracy based – for the very first time in Northern Ireland’s tangled history – on the twin foundations of the rule of law and power sharing. Without question, it may come to be seen as a pivotal moment in Irish history.

"These two foundations stand together or fall together: on the one hand, unequivocal support for the police and unequivocal support for the rule of law; on the other an absolute commitment by all the parties to share power in a restored Northern Ireland Executive.

"Delivery on both these foundations was absent from the Good Friday Agreement; now it is in prospect. That is a measure of what was achieved at St Andrews: arguably the fulfilment of the hopes expressed on Good Friday eight years ago."

He said that the Government firmly believed that the circumstances were now right to see a permanent political settlement in Northern Ireland, with the restoration and the full and effective operation of the political institutions.

Mr Hains referred to the St Andrews negotiations as "torturous and tough" and said that they meant fully endorsing the Police Service of Northern Ireland, actively encouraging everyone in the community to co-operate fully with the PSNI in tackling crime in all areas, and playing a full and active role in all the policing and justice institutions, including the Policing Board.

But he said that if "things unravelled" then the Assemby would be dissolved on November 24.

The Programme for Government Committee will begin regular meetings at Stormont on Tuesday to agree the priorities for the new Executive.

Following a meeting with Mr Blair in London, republicans have called for a £1bn investment package.

For their part unionists continue to seek full compliance from republicans over policing and security.

The Northern Ireland political parties have until November 10 to respond to the government proposals.

(SP)