Murphy says restoration of devolution is urgent priority

The Secretary of State has told business, political and community leaders in the north west that restoring the devolved administration in the north remains an "urgent priority".

Paul Murphy was speaking during a one-day visit to Londonderry, ahead of today's talks at Stormont between the province's main political parties and officials from the British and Irish governments. Mr Murphy and the Republic's Foreign Secretary Brian Cowen were unable to attend the meeting, which was instead chaired by junior ministers.

The Secretary of State said the suspension of the Stormont on October 14 had been a matter of "deep regret" for the government, but the lack of trust in the process had made the move unavoidable.

The government, he said, was working on rebuilding the trust through a series of roundtable talks today, and continuing next week.

Mr Murphy added: "As the Prime Minister has made clear, progress cannot be made unless everyone involved in the process are committed to exclusively peaceful means."

The Secretary of State said that in the meantime, he is committed to providing good government to Northern Ireland.

He said: "I have no desire to run Northern Ireland, I believe that what was achieved by the local Ministers is a testament to the effectiveness of devolved government.

"However, I take my responsibilities seriously and will not shy away from the tough decisions I have to take in the coming weeks."

Ahead of today's session at Stormont, Sinn Fein's Francie Molloy said that the only way to move the process forward was through the implementation of "all the outstanding aspects of the Good Friday Agreement".

He added: "That is what the agenda for the talks reflects and that must remain the focus of the two governments and all of the pro-agreement parties in the time ahead.

"Tomorrow's meeting will come in advance of a roundtable next week and we will once again press both government to approach these engagements with the sort of urgency which is required."

(GMcG)