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NI deal struck in historic talks | |
(30 minutes later) | |
Devolved government is to return to Northern Ireland following an historic meeting between the leaders of the DUP and Sinn Fein. | |
Ian Paisley and Gerry Adams, sitting side by side for their first news conference in Stormont, confirmed that power-sharing would begin on 8 May. | Ian Paisley and Gerry Adams, sitting side by side for their first news conference in Stormont, confirmed that power-sharing would begin on 8 May. |
Mr Paisley said the DUP was committed to full participation in government and Mr Adams said it was a "new era". | |
Tony Blair said it was a very importantday for the people of Northern Ireland. | |
The British and Irish governments had said they would shut the assembly if an executive was not agreed on Monday. | The British and Irish governments had said they would shut the assembly if an executive was not agreed on Monday. |
The Stormont Assembly was due to meet at noon to appoint ministers to a devolved government. | The Stormont Assembly was due to meet at noon to appoint ministers to a devolved government. |
Instead, the two party delegations met at Parliament Buildings, Stormont. | Instead, the two party delegations met at Parliament Buildings, Stormont. |
Mr Adams - wearing his Easter lily to commemorate those who died in the 1916 rebellion - and Mr Paisley were juxtaposed at one corner of a table. | |
Gerry Adams met DUP leader Ian Paisley | Gerry Adams met DUP leader Ian Paisley |
After the meeting, Mr Paisley said: "Our goal has been to see devolution returned in a context where it can make a real, meaningful improvement in the lives of all the people of this part of the United Kingdom. | After the meeting, Mr Paisley said: "Our goal has been to see devolution returned in a context where it can make a real, meaningful improvement in the lives of all the people of this part of the United Kingdom. |
"On Saturday, the DUP executive overwhelmingly endorsed a motion committing our party to support and participate fully in government in May of this year - this is a binding resolution." | "On Saturday, the DUP executive overwhelmingly endorsed a motion committing our party to support and participate fully in government in May of this year - this is a binding resolution." |
Mr Adams said he welcomed Mr Paisley's statement. | Mr Adams said he welcomed Mr Paisley's statement. |
"I believe the agreement reached between Sinn Fein and the DUP - including the unequivocal commitment made by their party executive and reiterated today - to the restoration of political institutions on 8 May marks the beginning of a new era of politics on this island," he said. | "I believe the agreement reached between Sinn Fein and the DUP - including the unequivocal commitment made by their party executive and reiterated today - to the restoration of political institutions on 8 May marks the beginning of a new era of politics on this island," he said. |
"The basis of the agreement between Sinn Fein and the DUP follows Ian Paisley's unequivocal and welcome commitment to support and participate fully in the political institutions on 8 May." | "The basis of the agreement between Sinn Fein and the DUP follows Ian Paisley's unequivocal and welcome commitment to support and participate fully in the political institutions on 8 May." |
Prime Minister Tony Blair said this was "a very important day for the people of Northern Ireland, but also for the people and the history of these islands." | |
"Everything we have done over the last ten years has been a preparation for this moment." | |
Irish Prime Minister Bertie Ahern said this had "the potential to transform the future of this island". | |
"This morning saw unprecedented and very positive developments in Northern Ireland." | |
Water 'reprieve' | Water 'reprieve' |
Both Sinn Fein and the DUP have asked the British government not to issue water bills due to be sent out this week for the first time. | Both Sinn Fein and the DUP have asked the British government not to issue water bills due to be sent out this week for the first time. |
SDLP leader Mark Durkan while welcoming the development, said he could not understand why devolution could not happen today. | |
The Ulster Unionist leader Sir Reg Empey said the DUP could have got the same deal much earlier. | |
Earlier on Monday, Secretary of State Peter Hain said Northern Ireland's devolution deadline may be allowed "to slip" for a few weeks if the parties agree to work together. | Earlier on Monday, Secretary of State Peter Hain said Northern Ireland's devolution deadline may be allowed "to slip" for a few weeks if the parties agree to work together. |
He said the assembly would be dissolved if agreement was not reached by 26 March. | He said the assembly would be dissolved if agreement was not reached by 26 March. |
An order signed by the NI secretary restarted devolution at midnight. | An order signed by the NI secretary restarted devolution at midnight. |
HAVE YOUR SAY NI needs a government made up of politicians from real political parties capable of forming national governments, not just regional talking shops Thomas, Bangor Send us your comments | HAVE YOUR SAY NI needs a government made up of politicians from real political parties capable of forming national governments, not just regional talking shops Thomas, Bangor Send us your comments |
In the assembly election earlier this month, the DUP and Sinn Fein emerged as the two largest parties. | In the assembly election earlier this month, the DUP and Sinn Fein emerged as the two largest parties. |
Chancellor Gordon Brown has promised an extra £1bn if devolution is back on Monday on top of £35bn promised by the government over four years. | Chancellor Gordon Brown has promised an extra £1bn if devolution is back on Monday on top of £35bn promised by the government over four years. |
If a power-sharing executive is formed, it will have four DUP ministers, three Sinn Fein, two UUP and one SDLP. | If a power-sharing executive is formed, it will have four DUP ministers, three Sinn Fein, two UUP and one SDLP. |
The Northern Ireland Assembly has been suspended since October 2002, amid allegations of an IRA spy ring at Stormont. | The Northern Ireland Assembly has been suspended since October 2002, amid allegations of an IRA spy ring at Stormont. |
A subsequent court case collapsed. Direct rule has been in place since that date. | A subsequent court case collapsed. Direct rule has been in place since that date. |