Joint governmental conference calls for return of devolution

The British-Irish Intergovernmental Conference, which was held yesterday at Hillsborough Castle, has called for the restoration of the devolved government "as soon as possible".

The meeting, which was convened to review "recent political developments", was chaired by Northern Ireland secretary of state John Reid and Security Minister Jane Kennedy. The Irish Foreign Affairs Minister Brian Cowen and Justice Minister Michael McDowell, and the Chief Constable and the Deputy Garda Commissioner were also present.

During the review, both governments reiterated their commitment to the "implementation of the agreement as the only way forward and the only viable future for the people of Northern Ireland".

A joint statement by the British and Irish governments read: "It is their determined wish to see devolved government restored as soon as possible and, in any event, in advance of the scheduled elections. Both governments believe that a representative assembly and an inclusive Executive remain the most appropriate form of government for Northern Ireland."

The two governments stressed that they remain convinced that all political parties are fully committed to "exclusively peaceful and democratic means".

The statement added: "There can be no place in Northern Ireland for the twin scourges of paramilitarism and sectarianism."

The conference also reviewed a number of "confidence" issues, including the process of security normalisation, the implementation of changes to the Criminal Justice system, the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission, the review of the operation of the Parades Commission and the Barron Inquiry into the Dublin/Monaghan bombings.

And in what may be interpreted as a fig leaf to nationalist parties angered by the introduction of direct rule, the British government confirmed its intention to introduce amending legislation on policing "as early as possible" in the coming parliamentary session.

The conference will convene again in December.

(GMcG)