Menu
01/12/2003
Paisley meets Murphy for Stormont talks
Northern Ireland Secretary of State Paul Murphy has met DUP leader Ian Paisley at Stormont today.
The meeting follows last week's elections which saw the DUP become the largest party in the Northern Ireland assembly.
While the government again reaffirmed the Good Friday Agreement as "the only viable political framework that is capable of securing the support of both communities in Northern Ireland", Dr Paisley's party continues to state it won't sit down with Sinn Féin and that it wants to replace the Agreement with something that is "inclusive to both unionists and nationalists".
Speaking on BBC Radio 4's Today programme on Monday, Dr Paisley said: "I don't accept the principle that we must sit down with armed terrorists who have enough weapons in their possession to blow up the whole of Northern Ireland."
However, Sinn Féin leader, Gerry Adams, whose party overtook the SDLP to become the main voice of nationalists in Northern Ireland following elections, said there could be no renegotiation of the Good Friday Agreement.
"That is our position and we make no bones about it," the West Belfast MP said.
"The principles, structures and obligations of that Agreement cannot and will not be subverted."
Commenting on the DUP's new elevated position as the voice of unionism, Mr Adams said: "The increase in support for the DUP results directly from its ability to mop up all of the anti-Agreement smaller parties within the old Assembly. Pro-Agreement Unionism did not switch to the DUP but a section of it sat at home last Wednesday.
"Despite this there is also the reality that 70% of the electorate voted for the Agreement. So, in the immediate time ahead dialogue between Sinn Fein and the UUP is critical. We need to build a pro-Agreement project which will either compel the DUP into the institutions or, if they refuse, will leave them behind."
(MB)
The meeting follows last week's elections which saw the DUP become the largest party in the Northern Ireland assembly.
While the government again reaffirmed the Good Friday Agreement as "the only viable political framework that is capable of securing the support of both communities in Northern Ireland", Dr Paisley's party continues to state it won't sit down with Sinn Féin and that it wants to replace the Agreement with something that is "inclusive to both unionists and nationalists".
Speaking on BBC Radio 4's Today programme on Monday, Dr Paisley said: "I don't accept the principle that we must sit down with armed terrorists who have enough weapons in their possession to blow up the whole of Northern Ireland."
However, Sinn Féin leader, Gerry Adams, whose party overtook the SDLP to become the main voice of nationalists in Northern Ireland following elections, said there could be no renegotiation of the Good Friday Agreement.
"That is our position and we make no bones about it," the West Belfast MP said.
"The principles, structures and obligations of that Agreement cannot and will not be subverted."
Commenting on the DUP's new elevated position as the voice of unionism, Mr Adams said: "The increase in support for the DUP results directly from its ability to mop up all of the anti-Agreement smaller parties within the old Assembly. Pro-Agreement Unionism did not switch to the DUP but a section of it sat at home last Wednesday.
"Despite this there is also the reality that 70% of the electorate voted for the Agreement. So, in the immediate time ahead dialogue between Sinn Fein and the UUP is critical. We need to build a pro-Agreement project which will either compel the DUP into the institutions or, if they refuse, will leave them behind."
(MB)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
28 May 2021
UUP Door Is 'Open' To Disaffected DUP Members
New Ulster Unionist Party leader Doug Beattie said the door of his party was 'open' to any disaffected DUP councillors and members who may want to join.
UUP Door Is 'Open' To Disaffected DUP Members
New Ulster Unionist Party leader Doug Beattie said the door of his party was 'open' to any disaffected DUP councillors and members who may want to join.
28 November 2003
Final results in for 2003 NI Assembly election
UPDATE: With all counts declared on Friday evening the clear winners are the Rev Ian Paisley's Democratic Unionist Party who have claimed 10 more seats on the Assembly and Sinn Féin who have won 6 seats.
Final results in for 2003 NI Assembly election
UPDATE: With all counts declared on Friday evening the clear winners are the Rev Ian Paisley's Democratic Unionist Party who have claimed 10 more seats on the Assembly and Sinn Féin who have won 6 seats.
05 October 2021
Unionists United In Opposing Protocol - Donaldson
"Not a single elected unionist in Northern Ireland supports the Protocol", DUP Leader, Sir Jeffrey Donaldson, has told a joint unionist fringe event at the Conservative Party Conference.
Unionists United In Opposing Protocol - Donaldson
"Not a single elected unionist in Northern Ireland supports the Protocol", DUP Leader, Sir Jeffrey Donaldson, has told a joint unionist fringe event at the Conservative Party Conference.
07 January 2022
NI Being Fundamentally Undermined By The Protocol - Sir Jeffrey
The political and economic progress of Northern Ireland is being fundamentally undermined by the continued imposition of the Northern Ireland Protocol. This was the message of DUP Leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson as he officially opened the new constituency office for Deborah Erskine MLA in Enniskillen.
NI Being Fundamentally Undermined By The Protocol - Sir Jeffrey
The political and economic progress of Northern Ireland is being fundamentally undermined by the continued imposition of the Northern Ireland Protocol. This was the message of DUP Leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson as he officially opened the new constituency office for Deborah Erskine MLA in Enniskillen.
09 May 2005
NI council results at present
NI’s elected councillors as of Monday afternoon Carrickfergus: Billy Ashe, Terence Clement, David Hilditch, Patricia McKinney (DUP), Sean Neeson (AP), William Hamilton, Charles Brown (Ind) Newtownabbey: William Ball, Paula Bradley, Nigel Hamilton, Robert Hill, John Mann, Mandy Girvan (DUP), Tom Campbell, Lynn Frazer (AP), Janet Crilly, Ken Robi
NI council results at present
NI’s elected councillors as of Monday afternoon Carrickfergus: Billy Ashe, Terence Clement, David Hilditch, Patricia McKinney (DUP), Sean Neeson (AP), William Hamilton, Charles Brown (Ind) Newtownabbey: William Ball, Paula Bradley, Nigel Hamilton, Robert Hill, John Mann, Mandy Girvan (DUP), Tom Campbell, Lynn Frazer (AP), Janet Crilly, Ken Robi
-
Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:A dry night, save for a few light showers around the coasts, with prolonged clear spells and light winds bringing a frosty dawn for many in central and southern parts. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
