Menu
07/01/2003
Downing Street talks 'frank and useful' says Trimble
Ulster Unionist leader David Trimble has described as "frank and useful" talks held in Downing Street today with British Prime Minister Tony Blair.
The former First Minister of the Northern Ireland Assembly, accompanied by assembly members Michael McGimpsey and James Cooper, spent an hour in discussions with the prime minister over how to refloat the Stormont executive.
Mr Trimble expressed his frustration at the current impasse and revealed that a request had been made for a meeting between the party and Sinn Fein on Thursday.
"We do want to see this agreement fully implemented, we do want to see the devolved administration working and we are fed up with the situation that every few months there is another crisis and we are forced to resign," he said.
The biggest stumbling block for the continuance of the devolved assembly – following the uncovering of an alleged spy ring at Stormont in September and the deteriorating feud within loyalism – remains the activity of paramilitaries.
Mr Trimble reiterated the need for what Mr Blair called in his Belfast speech in December as "acts of completion".
"We need to see paramilitaries do their part and we need to see confidence restored," he said. "We also discussed the need for loyalist paramilitaries themselves to engage in acts of completion."
On the prospect of elections, which are still pencilled in for May, Mr Trimble was less definite.
"There is the question of whether there is any point in having an election to an institution that no longer exists and what the practical consequences of that will be," he said.
"Our preference would be for matters to be resolved in such a way that the institutions can be reformed and then we can proceed to go election. But whether that is possible in the time available is a very open question."
The UUP leader added that the meeting he proposed with Sinn Fein would be used "to spell out" what he expects from republicanism.
"I'm not sure that the republican leadership has got the message. I should have realised back in October but I'm not sure they have realised and we need to spell that out to them," he said.
Yesterday, the DUP's deputy leader Peter Robinson criticised the UUP and called for a "new agreement".
"Having seen his project, the Belfast Agreement, lying in tatters, David Trimble cuts a pathetic figure in trying to reassert himself as the hard man of unionism," he said.
"The DUP is not in the business of breathing life into a failed agreement; it is in the business of bringing about a new agreement.
"The time for real and meaningful negotiations is after an election when a new agreement can be devised which can reflect the real views of the community.”
(GMcG)
The former First Minister of the Northern Ireland Assembly, accompanied by assembly members Michael McGimpsey and James Cooper, spent an hour in discussions with the prime minister over how to refloat the Stormont executive.
Mr Trimble expressed his frustration at the current impasse and revealed that a request had been made for a meeting between the party and Sinn Fein on Thursday.
"We do want to see this agreement fully implemented, we do want to see the devolved administration working and we are fed up with the situation that every few months there is another crisis and we are forced to resign," he said.
The biggest stumbling block for the continuance of the devolved assembly – following the uncovering of an alleged spy ring at Stormont in September and the deteriorating feud within loyalism – remains the activity of paramilitaries.
Mr Trimble reiterated the need for what Mr Blair called in his Belfast speech in December as "acts of completion".
"We need to see paramilitaries do their part and we need to see confidence restored," he said. "We also discussed the need for loyalist paramilitaries themselves to engage in acts of completion."
On the prospect of elections, which are still pencilled in for May, Mr Trimble was less definite.
"There is the question of whether there is any point in having an election to an institution that no longer exists and what the practical consequences of that will be," he said.
"Our preference would be for matters to be resolved in such a way that the institutions can be reformed and then we can proceed to go election. But whether that is possible in the time available is a very open question."
The UUP leader added that the meeting he proposed with Sinn Fein would be used "to spell out" what he expects from republicanism.
"I'm not sure that the republican leadership has got the message. I should have realised back in October but I'm not sure they have realised and we need to spell that out to them," he said.
Yesterday, the DUP's deputy leader Peter Robinson criticised the UUP and called for a "new agreement".
"Having seen his project, the Belfast Agreement, lying in tatters, David Trimble cuts a pathetic figure in trying to reassert himself as the hard man of unionism," he said.
"The DUP is not in the business of breathing life into a failed agreement; it is in the business of bringing about a new agreement.
"The time for real and meaningful negotiations is after an election when a new agreement can be devised which can reflect the real views of the community.”
(GMcG)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
15 November 2024
New Food Strategy Aims To Make NI A World Leader In Sustainable Food
Northern Ireland's first Food Strategy Framework was launched today by DAERA Minister Andrew Muir. The strategy, titled "Food at the heart of our society - A prospectus for change," aims to position Northern Ireland as a world leader in sustainable, healthy, and nutritious food.
New Food Strategy Aims To Make NI A World Leader In Sustainable Food
Northern Ireland's first Food Strategy Framework was launched today by DAERA Minister Andrew Muir. The strategy, titled "Food at the heart of our society - A prospectus for change," aims to position Northern Ireland as a world leader in sustainable, healthy, and nutritious food.
21 September 2004
UUP leader's wife to stand in Lagan Valley
The wife of Ulster Unionist Party leader David Trimble is set to stand as a UUP candidate for Lagan Valley. Daphne Trimble said she wanted to contest the seat, which is currently held by former UUP stalwart Jeffrey Donaldson, because it was a traditional "Ulster Unionist seat and the people have always been represented by Ulster Unionists".
UUP leader's wife to stand in Lagan Valley
The wife of Ulster Unionist Party leader David Trimble is set to stand as a UUP candidate for Lagan Valley. Daphne Trimble said she wanted to contest the seat, which is currently held by former UUP stalwart Jeffrey Donaldson, because it was a traditional "Ulster Unionist seat and the people have always been represented by Ulster Unionists".
22 November 2024
Alliance 'Deeply Concerned' Over Pace Of HIA Redress Scheme
The Alliance Party has raised concerns over the rate of progress on the redress scheme for Historical Institutional Abuse of children. The party's Executive Office spokesperson, Paula Bradshaw MLA, has called on the First and deputy First Minister (FMdFM) must meet victims and survivors urgently over memorialisation and other issues.
Alliance 'Deeply Concerned' Over Pace Of HIA Redress Scheme
The Alliance Party has raised concerns over the rate of progress on the redress scheme for Historical Institutional Abuse of children. The party's Executive Office spokesperson, Paula Bradshaw MLA, has called on the First and deputy First Minister (FMdFM) must meet victims and survivors urgently over memorialisation and other issues.
21 November 2024
Other News In Brief
Mike Nesbitt Pays Tribute To Ken Reid Health Minister Mike Nesbitt has paid tribute to Ken Reid, the veteran journalist who has passed away after a long period of ill health. The Minister said: "I want to first and foremost express my deepest condolences to Ken’s wife Liz, his children and grandchildren and the whole family circle.
Other News In Brief
Mike Nesbitt Pays Tribute To Ken Reid Health Minister Mike Nesbitt has paid tribute to Ken Reid, the veteran journalist who has passed away after a long period of ill health. The Minister said: "I want to first and foremost express my deepest condolences to Ken’s wife Liz, his children and grandchildren and the whole family circle.
21 November 2024
UK Education Ministers Meet In Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland hosted the fifth UK Education Ministers' Council (EMC) meeting at Laurelhill Community College in Lisburn.
UK Education Ministers Meet In Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland hosted the fifth UK Education Ministers' Council (EMC) meeting at Laurelhill Community College in Lisburn.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A showery start with outbreaks most frequent north of Lough Neagh and through the morning, before dwindling during the afternoon as the northwest breezes ease and brighter spells of weak sunshine prosper. Maximum temperature 8 °C.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.
