Menu
20/09/2004
Talks end without agreement but a deal 'can be struck' says PM's
The British and Irish Governments said they believe a deal can be struck in Northern Ireland that will hasten the return of devolved Government to the province.
In a statement following the Leeds Castle talks in which a deal was not reached in accordance with the Saturday afternoon deadline, Prime Ministers Tony Blair and Bertie Ahern said they believed issues to do with ending paramilitary activity and putting weapons beyond use could be resolved.
"The Governments believe that what is on offer now is reasonable in its substance and historic in its meaning," the statement read. "We are determined to move ahead. On the one hand there must be the complete end to violence in all its forms. On the other there must be a genuine, lasting and stable commitment to power-sharing.
"If agreement cannot be reached, when it is clear it should be, we will find a different way to move this process forward."
Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams blamed the DUP for the failure to reach agreement at Leeds saying they "had not engaged, they have not negotiated, they have not moved".
"If the DUP remain unwilling to accept equality, if they remain incapable of sharing power and the all-Ireland shape of the agreement, then there is an onus on the two governments and the British government in particular, to move immediately on the human rights, equality, policing and demilitarisation agendas," Mr Adams said.
“The British government must advance and accelerate the agenda of change set out in the Good Friday Agreement."
However, DUP leader Ian Paisley his party was eager to achieving lasting institutions that were "free from the threat of terror and on a democratic basis".
Dr Paisley said: "I believe that a golden opportunity has been available to realise a stable and entirely peaceful future and I told the Prime Minister that in some respects we have never been closer to solving the problems that have plagued us for decades.
"We are committed to stay the course and to deliver a better agreement for all the people of Northern Ireland."
Talks look set to resume this week between the Governments and all the main political parties as a deal becomes ever more possible.
(MB/GB)
In a statement following the Leeds Castle talks in which a deal was not reached in accordance with the Saturday afternoon deadline, Prime Ministers Tony Blair and Bertie Ahern said they believed issues to do with ending paramilitary activity and putting weapons beyond use could be resolved.
"The Governments believe that what is on offer now is reasonable in its substance and historic in its meaning," the statement read. "We are determined to move ahead. On the one hand there must be the complete end to violence in all its forms. On the other there must be a genuine, lasting and stable commitment to power-sharing.
"If agreement cannot be reached, when it is clear it should be, we will find a different way to move this process forward."
Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams blamed the DUP for the failure to reach agreement at Leeds saying they "had not engaged, they have not negotiated, they have not moved".
"If the DUP remain unwilling to accept equality, if they remain incapable of sharing power and the all-Ireland shape of the agreement, then there is an onus on the two governments and the British government in particular, to move immediately on the human rights, equality, policing and demilitarisation agendas," Mr Adams said.
“The British government must advance and accelerate the agenda of change set out in the Good Friday Agreement."
However, DUP leader Ian Paisley his party was eager to achieving lasting institutions that were "free from the threat of terror and on a democratic basis".
Dr Paisley said: "I believe that a golden opportunity has been available to realise a stable and entirely peaceful future and I told the Prime Minister that in some respects we have never been closer to solving the problems that have plagued us for decades.
"We are committed to stay the course and to deliver a better agreement for all the people of Northern Ireland."
Talks look set to resume this week between the Governments and all the main political parties as a deal becomes ever more possible.
(MB/GB)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
02 July 2021
Govts Urged To Ensure Full Implementation Of Stormont House Agreement
Sinn Féin's MP team has called on both the UK and Irish government to ensure the Stormont House Agreement is implemented in full.
Govts Urged To Ensure Full Implementation Of Stormont House Agreement
Sinn Féin's MP team has called on both the UK and Irish government to ensure the Stormont House Agreement is implemented in full.
23 April 2003
IRA must clarify its intentions says Blair
The IRA must clarify its future intentions and rule out any ambiguity about its role in the Northern Ireland peace process, the British Prime Minister Tony Blair said today. Sinn Fein has insisted the existing IRA offer goes further than ever before but Mr Blair said key questions needed to be answered.
IRA must clarify its intentions says Blair
The IRA must clarify its future intentions and rule out any ambiguity about its role in the Northern Ireland peace process, the British Prime Minister Tony Blair said today. Sinn Fein has insisted the existing IRA offer goes further than ever before but Mr Blair said key questions needed to be answered.
28 November 2024
Japanese Cyber Security Firm Expands in Northern Ireland
Economy Minister Conor Murphy has announced that Nihon Cyber Defence (NCD) is expanding its operations in Northern Ireland. The Japanese cyber security firm, which specialises in protecting critical infrastructure, governments, and businesses from cyber-attacks, first established a presence in Northern Ireland in 2018. This latest £1.
Japanese Cyber Security Firm Expands in Northern Ireland
Economy Minister Conor Murphy has announced that Nihon Cyber Defence (NCD) is expanding its operations in Northern Ireland. The Japanese cyber security firm, which specialises in protecting critical infrastructure, governments, and businesses from cyber-attacks, first established a presence in Northern Ireland in 2018. This latest £1.
10 November 2006
Governments move ahead with St Andrew's Agreement
The British and Irish governments have today said that they will now move ahead with the implementation of the St Andrews Agreement.
Governments move ahead with St Andrew's Agreement
The British and Irish governments have today said that they will now move ahead with the implementation of the St Andrews Agreement.
24 October 2006
Governments to discuss St Andrews Agreement
Northern Ireland Secretary of State, Peter Hain is to travel to Dublin today to meet with the Irish Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dermot Ahern to discuss the implementations of the St Andrews Agreement.
Governments to discuss St Andrews Agreement
Northern Ireland Secretary of State, Peter Hain is to travel to Dublin today to meet with the Irish Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dermot Ahern to discuss the implementations of the St Andrews Agreement.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:Rain clearing away east by early evening with some clear spells but a few showers likely to affect the North coast and other areas towards dawn, remaining breezy and mild overnight. Minimum temperature 9 °C.
