NI deal struck in historic talks

[Salem6]

Devolved government is to return to Northern Ireland following an historic meeting between the leaders of the DUP and Sinn Fein.


Ian Paisley and Gerry Adams, sitting side by side for their first news conference in Stormont, confirmed that power-sharing would begin on 8 May.

Ian Paisley and Gerry Adams, sitting side by side for their first news conference in Stormont, confirmed that power-sharing would begin on 8 May.

Mr Paisley said the DUP was committed to full participation in government and Mr Adams said it was a "new era".

Tony Blair said it was a very important day for the people of Northern Ireland.

The British and Irish governments had said they would shut the assembly if an executive was not agreed on Monday.

Emergency legislation will now be rushed through Parliament on Tuesday to give effect to the 8 May power-sharing deal.

Mr Adams - wearing his Easter lily to commemorate those who died in the 1916 rebellion - and Mr Paisley were sitting at one corner of a table at Stormont.


The SDLP's Mark Durkan and the UUP's Sir Reg Empey discuss events

After the meeting, Mr Paisley said: "Our goal has been to see devolution returned in a context where it can make a real, meaningful improvement in the lives of all the people of this part of the United Kingdom.

"On Saturday, the DUP executive overwhelmingly endorsed a motion committing our party to support and participate fully in government in May of this year - this is a binding resolution."

Mr Adams said he welcomed Mr Paisley's statement.

"I believe the agreement reached between Sinn Fein and the DUP - including the unequivocal commitment made by their party executive and reiterated today - to the restoration of political institutions on 8 May marks the beginning of a new era of politics on this island," he said.

"The basis of the agreement between Sinn Fein and the DUP follows Ian Paisley's unequivocal and welcome commitment to support and participate fully in the political institutions on 8 May."

Prime Minister Tony Blair said it was "a very important day for the people of Northern Ireland, but also for the people and the history of these islands".

"Everything we have done over the last 10 years has been a preparation for this moment."

Irish Prime Minister Bertie Ahern said this had "the potential to transform the future of this island".

"This morning saw unprecedented and very positive developments."

Northern Ireland Secretary Peter Hain said: "When you have got both major parties saying we will deliver... that gives me confidence that this process is finally achieved."

He said people now wanted their politicians to concentrate on "bread and butter issues".

After 8 May, he said there would still be a need for a secretary of state, as well as ministers, until there was devolution in justice and policing.

Water 'reprieve'

Both Sinn Fein and the DUP have asked the British government not to issue water bills due to be sent out this week for the first time.

Until now, people in Northern Ireland have not had to pay separate charges for their water supply. But the government has moved to change this, in line with the rest of the United Kingdom.

Speaking after Mr Paisley and Mr Adams' historic news conference, SDLP leader Mark Durkan while welcoming the development, said he could not understand why devolution could not happen on Monday.

The Ulster Unionist leader Sir Reg Empey said the DUP could have got the same deal much earlier.

An order signed by the NI secretary restarted devolution at midnight.

In the assembly election earlier this month, the DUP and Sinn Fein emerged as the two largest parties.

Chancellor Gordon Brown promised an extra £1bn if devolution was back on Monday on top of £35bn pledged by the government over four years.

The power-sharing executive will have four DUP ministers, three Sinn Fein, two UUP and one SDLP.

The Northern Ireland Assembly has been suspended since October 2002, amid allegations of an IRA spy ring at Stormont.

A subsequent court case collapsed. Direct rule has been in place since that date.




news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/northern_ireland/6494599.stm

[Salem6]

Northern Ireland has a new power-sharing government in an historic day at Stormont.


Sinn Fein's Martin McGuinness, Irish Taoiseach Bertie Ahern, UK Prime Minister Tony Blair, NI Secretary Peter Hain and DUP leader Ian Paisley in the first minister's office.

DUP leader Ian Paisley and Sinn Fein's Martin McGuinness took office as first and deputy first ministers as five years of direct rule ended.

Tony Blair and Bertie Ahern witnessed the creation of the new executive.

Mr Blair said that the day's events offered the chance for Northern Ireland to "escape the heavy chains of history" and "make history anew".

In October 2002, allegations of intelligence gathering within Stormont led to the suspension of power-sharing institutions. A subsequent court case collapsed.

"Look back and we see centuries pock-marked by conflict, hardship, even hatred, among the people of these islands," the prime minister said.

Irish Premier Bertie Ahern thanked all the politicians who have been involved in the peace process, but reserved special praise for Mr Blair.

Mr Paisley said: "Today we are starting upon the road which I believe will take us to lasting peace in our province."

He added: "I welcome the pledge we have all taken to that effect today... that is the rock foundation upon which we must build."

Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness said he wished Ian Paisley all the best as they began "the greatest, yet most exciting, challenge of our lives".

"We must overcome the difficulties which we face in order to achieve our goals and seize the opportunities that now exist," he said.


Mr McGuinness said he was confident he and the DUP leader could work together.

Both Mr McGuinness and Mr Paisley paid tribute to DUP assembly member George Dawson, who died on Monday evening.

Ulster Unionist leader Sir Reg Empey said he was delighted that the people of Northern Ireland now had a government of their own.

SDLP leader Mark Durkan said: "What today shows is that when finally you have a government setting a deadline and setting terms and keeping to them, you can get somewhere."

William Hay was appointed as the new speaker, replacing the outgoing Eileen Bell.

In nominating the DUP assembly member, Mr Paisley said the speaker in the next assembly would be from the nationalist community.


Demonstrators protesting against the war in Iraq were forcibly removed by police after they attempted to block the arrival of Mr Blair's motorcade.


The protesters, who had been standing in front of Parliament Buildings, ran down the hill to the Carson Statue and lay down on the road.

Ministers from the four main parties took the pledge of office, which includes support for the police.

The return of devolved government follows an historic meeting in March between Mr Paisley and Sinn Fein President Gerry Adams, where they agreed to share power.

Northern Ireland Secretary Peter Hain said he was confident the parties would make a go of it.

VIP guests at Stormont included US Senator Ted Kennedy, the DUP leader's wife Baroness Paisley and Peggy McGuinness, the deputy first minister's mother.

Also attending is Jeanette Ervine, the widow of Progressive Unionist Party leader David Ervine, who died in January.

The first meeting of the new power-sharing executive is scheduled for later this week.




news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/northern_ireland/6634373.stm