Menu
04/11/2002
Political talks continue on Assembly's future
In the latest meeting in a round of talks aimed at stemming the political crisis Northern Ireland Secretary of State Paul Murphy has met with the Democratic Unionist Party.
Mr Murphy, on appointment as Secretary of State, leapt straight in to a series of high-level talks with the leaders of the province's main political parties.
The Government views discussions as the way forward in the political quagmire that has developed since the revelations of alleged IRA spying activities within the Northern Ireland Office dragged down the assembly forcing suspension of the power-sharing institutions.
Talks will centre on a possible review of the implementation of the Good Friday Agreement.
For their part the DUP, while talking to the government, will be unlikely to sanction a review process or to undertake to stand by the outcome of a review.
The DUP leader, Dr Ian Paisley said that Northern Ireland was heading for a disaster and called for elections.
Mr Murphy is well versed in the political process and the basis of the Good Friday Agreement as he was the minister responsible for political development in 1998.
So far the Secretary of State has met with representatives from Sinn Féin, the SDLP, the Ulster Unionist Party, the Alliance Party, UK Unionists and will meet with a number of other of the province's smaller political parties as he endeavours to find some common ground in the political landscape.
However, the water was further muddied when SDLP leader Mark Durkan said that the British Prime Minister had told him that there were grounds to exclude Sinn Féin from the power-sharing process. But Mr Durkan speaking on a Radio Ulster programme said that he would not back an exclusion motion.
This clearly implies that the government has, or is still, seriously considering an exclusion of Sinn Féin, probably on the grounds that the republican party has failed to uphold democratic principles.
Irish Foreign Affairs Minister Brian Cowan is also expected to meet with Paul Murphy later this week. Mr Cowan has also been engaged with a series of meetings with some of the political parties as the two governments gauge responses and prepare a strategy following the suspension of the Northern Ireland assembly.
(SP)
Mr Murphy, on appointment as Secretary of State, leapt straight in to a series of high-level talks with the leaders of the province's main political parties.
The Government views discussions as the way forward in the political quagmire that has developed since the revelations of alleged IRA spying activities within the Northern Ireland Office dragged down the assembly forcing suspension of the power-sharing institutions.
Talks will centre on a possible review of the implementation of the Good Friday Agreement.
For their part the DUP, while talking to the government, will be unlikely to sanction a review process or to undertake to stand by the outcome of a review.
The DUP leader, Dr Ian Paisley said that Northern Ireland was heading for a disaster and called for elections.
Mr Murphy is well versed in the political process and the basis of the Good Friday Agreement as he was the minister responsible for political development in 1998.
So far the Secretary of State has met with representatives from Sinn Féin, the SDLP, the Ulster Unionist Party, the Alliance Party, UK Unionists and will meet with a number of other of the province's smaller political parties as he endeavours to find some common ground in the political landscape.
However, the water was further muddied when SDLP leader Mark Durkan said that the British Prime Minister had told him that there were grounds to exclude Sinn Féin from the power-sharing process. But Mr Durkan speaking on a Radio Ulster programme said that he would not back an exclusion motion.
This clearly implies that the government has, or is still, seriously considering an exclusion of Sinn Féin, probably on the grounds that the republican party has failed to uphold democratic principles.
Irish Foreign Affairs Minister Brian Cowan is also expected to meet with Paul Murphy later this week. Mr Cowan has also been engaged with a series of meetings with some of the political parties as the two governments gauge responses and prepare a strategy following the suspension of the Northern Ireland assembly.
(SP)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
05 July 2017
SDLP Supports Calls For Stormont Pay Freeze During Talks Delay
The endless delay in Stormont talks is not down to detail, but "narrow party political interest", according to SDLP leader, Colum Eastwood. Mr Eastwood described the latest "pause" announced in Executive talks as "depressing" but said that no-one will be surprised by it, least of all the public.
SDLP Supports Calls For Stormont Pay Freeze During Talks Delay
The endless delay in Stormont talks is not down to detail, but "narrow party political interest", according to SDLP leader, Colum Eastwood. Mr Eastwood described the latest "pause" announced in Executive talks as "depressing" but said that no-one will be surprised by it, least of all the public.
09 September 2021
'Cynical Party Political Posturing Is Failing Our People' - Alliance
Alliance leader Naomi Long has said that "cynical party political posturing is failing our people" and that the emphasis must be on pragmatic solutions to concerns of the Protocol, rather than escalating political instability.
'Cynical Party Political Posturing Is Failing Our People' - Alliance
Alliance leader Naomi Long has said that "cynical party political posturing is failing our people" and that the emphasis must be on pragmatic solutions to concerns of the Protocol, rather than escalating political instability.
25 November 2024
Other News In Brief
DfC Launch Public Consultation On Gender Pay Gap A consultation on proposed changes to Section 19 of the Employment Act (Northern Ireland) relating to the requirements for employers to publish information on the pay of male and female employees has been launched by the Department for Communities.
Other News In Brief
DfC Launch Public Consultation On Gender Pay Gap A consultation on proposed changes to Section 19 of the Employment Act (Northern Ireland) relating to the requirements for employers to publish information on the pay of male and female employees has been launched by the Department for Communities.
24 October 2014
Unionists Accused Of Holding All-Party Talks To Ransom
Sinn Féin has accused Unionists of holding all party talks to ransom over an Orange Order parade in north Belfast. MP Conor Murphy said to date there is no agenda, no timetable, no programme of work or no structure for chairing. Mr Murphy said: "We told the two governments that we are concerned that we don't have a credible talks process.
Unionists Accused Of Holding All-Party Talks To Ransom
Sinn Féin has accused Unionists of holding all party talks to ransom over an Orange Order parade in north Belfast. MP Conor Murphy said to date there is no agenda, no timetable, no programme of work or no structure for chairing. Mr Murphy said: "We told the two governments that we are concerned that we don't have a credible talks process.
24 April 2013
New Political Party Launches
A new political party, named the Protestant Coalition, has been launched. The party is being introduced "in response to the utter failure of the two main unionist parties to defend the interests of or community".
New Political Party Launches
A new political party, named the Protestant Coalition, has been launched. The party is being introduced "in response to the utter failure of the two main unionist parties to defend the interests of or community".
-
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.
