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16/10/2006
Commons statement on 'historic' NI talks
Northern Ireland Secretary Peter Hain has told MPs that the outcome of last week's talks with local political parties in St Andrews could be a historic moment.
The three-day long talks examined power sharing and political institutions, policing, human rights, and financial packages for a restored executive.
Mr Hain told the House that the St Andrews Agreement, opened the "way to a new dawn for democracy in Northern Ireland."
Following the talks Tony Blair and Bertie Ahern in a joint document confirmed they were seeking the parties' agreement by November 10 with a view to proceeding toward a November 24 deadline to nominate a first and deputy first minister for the Assembly.
An assessment was made of "practical changes" to the operation of the institutions and an outline was agreed between the governments.
The British government will bring legislation before Parliament to enact these changes, once parties have endorsed the agreement and agreed definitively to restore the power sharing institutions.
The joint ministerial statement concluded: "The Governments have made clear that in the event of failure to reach agreement by the 24 November we will proceed on the basis of the new British-Irish partnership arrangements to implement the Belfast Agreement.
"It is clear to us that all the parties wish to see devolution restored. It is also clear to us that all parties wish to support policing and the rule of law. We hope they will seize this opportunity for bringing the political process in Northern Ireland to completion and establishing power-sharing government for the benefit of the whole community."
However the DUP will not take their seats in the Assembly until Sinn Fein have agreed a deal to suppport policing in Northern Ireland.
Attending a weekend rally, Sinn Fein President Gerry Adams maintained that while nothing had been agreed, the proposals would be discussed thoroughly by the wider republican community.
The prospect that DUP leader Ian Paisley and Sinn Fein chief negotiator Martin McGuinness could be nominated as first and deputy first minister will have to be decided by the parties.
(SP)
The three-day long talks examined power sharing and political institutions, policing, human rights, and financial packages for a restored executive.
Mr Hain told the House that the St Andrews Agreement, opened the "way to a new dawn for democracy in Northern Ireland."
Following the talks Tony Blair and Bertie Ahern in a joint document confirmed they were seeking the parties' agreement by November 10 with a view to proceeding toward a November 24 deadline to nominate a first and deputy first minister for the Assembly.
An assessment was made of "practical changes" to the operation of the institutions and an outline was agreed between the governments.
The British government will bring legislation before Parliament to enact these changes, once parties have endorsed the agreement and agreed definitively to restore the power sharing institutions.
The joint ministerial statement concluded: "The Governments have made clear that in the event of failure to reach agreement by the 24 November we will proceed on the basis of the new British-Irish partnership arrangements to implement the Belfast Agreement.
"It is clear to us that all the parties wish to see devolution restored. It is also clear to us that all parties wish to support policing and the rule of law. We hope they will seize this opportunity for bringing the political process in Northern Ireland to completion and establishing power-sharing government for the benefit of the whole community."
However the DUP will not take their seats in the Assembly until Sinn Fein have agreed a deal to suppport policing in Northern Ireland.
Attending a weekend rally, Sinn Fein President Gerry Adams maintained that while nothing had been agreed, the proposals would be discussed thoroughly by the wider republican community.
The prospect that DUP leader Ian Paisley and Sinn Fein chief negotiator Martin McGuinness could be nominated as first and deputy first minister will have to be decided by the parties.
(SP)
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Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:A cloudy evening and night with a little light rain or drizzle, perhaps some clear periods developing along the east coast. A very mild night everywhere. Minimum temperature 7 °C.
