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16/09/2003
Campaign to restore NI assembly gets underway
Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams has met with SDLP leader Mark Durkan as political activity, apparently aimed at restoring devolved government in Northern Ireland, increases.
As rounds of political talks continue, tomorrow Mr Durkan is scheduled to meet with Irish Foreign Minister Brian Cowen.
Last weekend a meeting between the British Prime Minister Tony Blair and Irish Taoiseach Bertie Ahern was described as “positive”. The leaders are understood to have discussed in some detail the Northern Ireland political process, which has been in limbo since the Northern Ireland Assembly was suspended last year.
Mr Blair’s official spokesperson said that the leaders had been examining the “next steps” involved in securing elections for the assembly. While Mr Ahern, following the meeting with Mr Blair, told RTE that he had agreed a “roadmap” for the next forthcoming weeks.
Unionists, however, remain fixed on a “first move” by republicans as a precursor to possible elections, and though negotiations continue, no clear agenda has emerged as a series of top-level meeting continue this week.
The Northern Ireland Secretary of State has constituted a four-member monitoring body, advanced as a solution to independently assessing paramilitary activities and maintenance of the various groups’ ceasefire implemented under the Good Friday Agreement.
Earlier this year despite intense political activity between Dublin and London and the production of a “blueprint”, and redrafts of an IRA statement, May elections were postponed following a “lack of clarity” over the paramilitary group’s future intentions.
No date has yet been mooted for elections to the Northern Ireland Assembly, but Northern Ireland Secretary of State Paul Murphy, has said that he wanted to see elections before December, and November is widely considered to the earliest possible opportunity.
(SP)
As rounds of political talks continue, tomorrow Mr Durkan is scheduled to meet with Irish Foreign Minister Brian Cowen.
Last weekend a meeting between the British Prime Minister Tony Blair and Irish Taoiseach Bertie Ahern was described as “positive”. The leaders are understood to have discussed in some detail the Northern Ireland political process, which has been in limbo since the Northern Ireland Assembly was suspended last year.
Mr Blair’s official spokesperson said that the leaders had been examining the “next steps” involved in securing elections for the assembly. While Mr Ahern, following the meeting with Mr Blair, told RTE that he had agreed a “roadmap” for the next forthcoming weeks.
Unionists, however, remain fixed on a “first move” by republicans as a precursor to possible elections, and though negotiations continue, no clear agenda has emerged as a series of top-level meeting continue this week.
The Northern Ireland Secretary of State has constituted a four-member monitoring body, advanced as a solution to independently assessing paramilitary activities and maintenance of the various groups’ ceasefire implemented under the Good Friday Agreement.
Earlier this year despite intense political activity between Dublin and London and the production of a “blueprint”, and redrafts of an IRA statement, May elections were postponed following a “lack of clarity” over the paramilitary group’s future intentions.
No date has yet been mooted for elections to the Northern Ireland Assembly, but Northern Ireland Secretary of State Paul Murphy, has said that he wanted to see elections before December, and November is widely considered to the earliest possible opportunity.
(SP)
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08 April 2011
Half Of Stormont Nominations 'Will Sit'
Around half the politicians whose names were put forward today for election as Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs) in Northern Ireland will actually make it to a seat. That's because the overall number of candidates standing this time round is down by almost 40 on the last Assembly poll in 2007.
Half Of Stormont Nominations 'Will Sit'
Around half the politicians whose names were put forward today for election as Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs) in Northern Ireland will actually make it to a seat. That's because the overall number of candidates standing this time round is down by almost 40 on the last Assembly poll in 2007.
01 May 2003
Blair unilaterally declares NI elections postponed
British Prime Minister Tony Blair has confirmed that elections to the Northern Ireland Assembly have been postponed until the autumn. Mr Blair said that the lack of clarity on the IRA's position on future paramilitary activities meant that holding elections on May 29 was not possible.
Blair unilaterally declares NI elections postponed
British Prime Minister Tony Blair has confirmed that elections to the Northern Ireland Assembly have been postponed until the autumn. Mr Blair said that the lack of clarity on the IRA's position on future paramilitary activities meant that holding elections on May 29 was not possible.
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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.
