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03/02/2003
Murphy urges 'participation' in devolution talks
Secretary of State Paul Murphy has called for "participation" at the talk's table from all political parties after meeting today with the US President's special advisor on Northern Ireland, Richard Haass.
Following the meeting in London today, Mr Murphy thanked the US administration for their continuing support in efforts to restore Northern Ireland's devolved institutions.
He said: "We are engaged in a process which aims to build trust and confidence among the political parties to restore devolved government as soon as possible. If we are to succeed, it will require participation from everyone and I particularly value the ongoing support of the American administration as we work to achieve this goal.
"Everyone agrees that Northern Ireland is best governed through local Ministers making local decisions within the assembly. The sooner we achieve this the better for the people of Northern Ireland," he added.
Prime Minister Tony Blair and Taoiseach Bertie Ahern are expected to meet with the local parties at Hillsborough Castle on February 12 in order to find a way to re-establish the devolved institutions. Mr Murphy voiced his confidence that "a way forward can be found".
That meeting, however, will be set against a backdrop of escalating violence being meted out by loyalists.
Earlier today, the SDLP's Mark Durkan reiterated Mr Murphy's call for all the main parties to return to the talks table – talks which Unionists parties have absented themselves from on the two previous occasions they had been held.
Mr Durkan said that, particularly in the wake of the murder of UDA chief John Gregg at the weekend, the devolved administration remained the most effective method to restore normality.
"We have consistently cautioned that a political vacuum will benefit only the paramilitaries," he said.
"These killings should focus all parties on the need to come together to ensure the full implementation of the agreement and that we get the institutions up and running as soon as possible."
It is understood that Ambassador Haass is scheduled to meet with political parties in Belfast and Dublin over the next few days.
(GMcG)
Following the meeting in London today, Mr Murphy thanked the US administration for their continuing support in efforts to restore Northern Ireland's devolved institutions.
He said: "We are engaged in a process which aims to build trust and confidence among the political parties to restore devolved government as soon as possible. If we are to succeed, it will require participation from everyone and I particularly value the ongoing support of the American administration as we work to achieve this goal.
"Everyone agrees that Northern Ireland is best governed through local Ministers making local decisions within the assembly. The sooner we achieve this the better for the people of Northern Ireland," he added.
Prime Minister Tony Blair and Taoiseach Bertie Ahern are expected to meet with the local parties at Hillsborough Castle on February 12 in order to find a way to re-establish the devolved institutions. Mr Murphy voiced his confidence that "a way forward can be found".
That meeting, however, will be set against a backdrop of escalating violence being meted out by loyalists.
Earlier today, the SDLP's Mark Durkan reiterated Mr Murphy's call for all the main parties to return to the talks table – talks which Unionists parties have absented themselves from on the two previous occasions they had been held.
Mr Durkan said that, particularly in the wake of the murder of UDA chief John Gregg at the weekend, the devolved administration remained the most effective method to restore normality.
"We have consistently cautioned that a political vacuum will benefit only the paramilitaries," he said.
"These killings should focus all parties on the need to come together to ensure the full implementation of the agreement and that we get the institutions up and running as soon as possible."
It is understood that Ambassador Haass is scheduled to meet with political parties in Belfast and Dublin over the next few days.
(GMcG)
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