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02/07/2001
MALLON LEADS ON DESPITE GOOD FRIDAY CRISIS
FOLLOWING the formal announcement of David Trimble’s resignation in the Assembly on Monday, July 2, Seamus Mallon stressed his commitment to making the Agreement work despite a lack of progress on decommissioning.
Mr Mallon said he would continue to act as deputy first minister of Northern Ireland.
As expected Mr Trimble resigned his position as First Minister on Sunday citing what he sees as the IRA's failure to meet the terms of the Good Friday Agreement by decommissioning its weapons.
Speaking to the Assembly on Monday Mr Mallon said: “I regret that David Trimble has resigned as First Minister. He has made a significant contribution to the achievements of the institutions to date. For my part, I remain committed to doing all I can to make the institutions work and to securing the full implementation of the Good Friday Agreement.”
In its latest report on Monday, the body overseeing disarmament said there had been no decommissioning by the IRA or the main loyalist paramilitary organisations.
But the de Chastelain commission said it had been assured that IRA arms would be "put beyond use" in the context set out by the republican group more than a year ago.
Mr Mallon said it had been "shameful" that no paramilitary weapons had been put beyond use: "Sinn Fein demands respect for its democratic mandate. I respect that democratic mandate. But if the outcome of the best endeavours of Sinn Fein to put weapons beyond use has borne so little fruit, is it not clear that the IRA does not respect that mandate and the obligations that go with it?"
Mr Mallon no longer holds the office of deputy first minister, as a result of Mr Trimble's resignation. However, the assembly speaker, Lord Alderdice, said Mr Mallon may exercise his function until the election of new first and deputy first ministers, which, he said, must be by 11 August.
Lord Alderdice also said he had received notification that Ulster Unionist economy minister Sir Reg Empey would exercise the functions of first minister during the vacant period.
There are now six weeks for the assembly to re-install the Ulster Unionist leader as first minister or replace him before the devolved institutions collapse under legislation brought in under the Agreement.
If a deal cannot be agreed in six weeks, the Northern Ireland Secretary Dr John Reid could either suspend the assembly or call an assembly election.
(AMcE)
Mr Mallon said he would continue to act as deputy first minister of Northern Ireland.
As expected Mr Trimble resigned his position as First Minister on Sunday citing what he sees as the IRA's failure to meet the terms of the Good Friday Agreement by decommissioning its weapons.
Speaking to the Assembly on Monday Mr Mallon said: “I regret that David Trimble has resigned as First Minister. He has made a significant contribution to the achievements of the institutions to date. For my part, I remain committed to doing all I can to make the institutions work and to securing the full implementation of the Good Friday Agreement.”
In its latest report on Monday, the body overseeing disarmament said there had been no decommissioning by the IRA or the main loyalist paramilitary organisations.
But the de Chastelain commission said it had been assured that IRA arms would be "put beyond use" in the context set out by the republican group more than a year ago.
Mr Mallon said it had been "shameful" that no paramilitary weapons had been put beyond use: "Sinn Fein demands respect for its democratic mandate. I respect that democratic mandate. But if the outcome of the best endeavours of Sinn Fein to put weapons beyond use has borne so little fruit, is it not clear that the IRA does not respect that mandate and the obligations that go with it?"
Mr Mallon no longer holds the office of deputy first minister, as a result of Mr Trimble's resignation. However, the assembly speaker, Lord Alderdice, said Mr Mallon may exercise his function until the election of new first and deputy first ministers, which, he said, must be by 11 August.
Lord Alderdice also said he had received notification that Ulster Unionist economy minister Sir Reg Empey would exercise the functions of first minister during the vacant period.
There are now six weeks for the assembly to re-install the Ulster Unionist leader as first minister or replace him before the devolved institutions collapse under legislation brought in under the Agreement.
If a deal cannot be agreed in six weeks, the Northern Ireland Secretary Dr John Reid could either suspend the assembly or call an assembly election.
(AMcE)
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A chilly start with a widespread frost and some freezing fog, any freezing fog slow to clear. Otherwise bright with sunny spells and coastal showers. Light winds. Maximum temperature 6 °C.Tonight:Coastal showers dying out with a widespread frost developing along with freezing fog, which could become extensive. Winds remaining light. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
