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16/09/2004
Talks begin at Leeds Castle
Northern Ireland's politicians converged on Leeds Castle today ahead of three days of intensive negotiations aimed at restoring devolution in the province.
Northern Ireland Secretary Paul Murphy and Irish Foreign Minister Brian Cowen met the parties on Thursday morning before the afternoon arrival of Prime Ministers Tony Blair and Bertie Ahern, in what is being seen as the most important negotiations since the lead up to the Good Friday Agreement in 1998.
Speaking ahead of the talks, Paul Murphy said: "What has to be done at Leeds Castle is clear enough. As both the Prime Minister and the Taoiseach have reiterated in recent weeks, the republican movement must finally complete the transition to exclusively peaceful means.
"Paramilitary groups must cease their activities once and for all and their weapons must be put beyond use. In response, unionist must commit themselves fully and wholeheartedly to all the political institutions.
"The peace process cannot be allowed to drift on aimlessly. We have reached a point of decision and I believe that if the will is there on all sides, a deal can be done."
The political institutions in Northern Ireland were suspended in October 2002 amid allegations of IRA intelligence gathering at the Northern Ireland Office.
(MB/GB)
Northern Ireland Secretary Paul Murphy and Irish Foreign Minister Brian Cowen met the parties on Thursday morning before the afternoon arrival of Prime Ministers Tony Blair and Bertie Ahern, in what is being seen as the most important negotiations since the lead up to the Good Friday Agreement in 1998.
Speaking ahead of the talks, Paul Murphy said: "What has to be done at Leeds Castle is clear enough. As both the Prime Minister and the Taoiseach have reiterated in recent weeks, the republican movement must finally complete the transition to exclusively peaceful means.
"Paramilitary groups must cease their activities once and for all and their weapons must be put beyond use. In response, unionist must commit themselves fully and wholeheartedly to all the political institutions.
"The peace process cannot be allowed to drift on aimlessly. We have reached a point of decision and I believe that if the will is there on all sides, a deal can be done."
The political institutions in Northern Ireland were suspended in October 2002 amid allegations of IRA intelligence gathering at the Northern Ireland Office.
(MB/GB)
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29 May 2012
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The 2005 Birthday Honours List for Northern Ireland
The full list of recipients of honours in the 2005 Birthday Honours list for Northern Ireland is as follows: Knighthood: Mr Hugh Orde OBE, Chief Constable, Police Service of Northern Ireland - for services to Northern Ireland. CBE: Mr Robert David Stewart Campbell, Belfast - For Political and public service.
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The full list of recipients of honours in the 2005 Birthday Honours list for Northern Ireland is as follows: Knighthood: Mr Hugh Orde OBE, Chief Constable, Police Service of Northern Ireland - for services to Northern Ireland. CBE: Mr Robert David Stewart Campbell, Belfast - For Political and public service.
02 May 2013
Galgorm Castle Creates Over 60 Jobs
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Enterprise Minister, Arlene Foster, has welcomed the announcement of an £8 million investment at Galgorm Castle Estates which will create over 60 full-and part-time jobs in Ballymena, at an event in Ballymena's Braid Centre.
13 December 2002
Rigorous new vetting measures for civil servants
The Northern Ireland Office has announced they will be introducing tough new security measures following the discovery of an alleged IRA spy ring within the Northern Ireland Office.
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The Northern Ireland Office has announced they will be introducing tough new security measures following the discovery of an alleged IRA spy ring within the Northern Ireland Office.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A very mild, but mostly cloudy day, although with some bright or sunny spells. It will be mostly dry in the morning, but a little patchy light rain or drizzle at times in the afternoon. Maximum temperature 14 °C.Tonight:A band of heavier rain will move east during the evening before clearing eastwards after midnight. then mostly dry through the early hours, but a little rain towards dawn. Minimum temperature 8 °C.
