St. Patrick's Division #1: Press Release - Northern Ireland Peace Attempt

Northern Ireland Attempts Peace Again

St. Patrick's Division Foreign Service
Saturday July 1, 2006

Northern Ireland's local legislature has convened in Stormont, Belfast again for the first time since it was dissolved in sectarian infighting over three years ago. The creation of this legislature in which Catholics and Protestants would govern together was a major provision of the 1998 Good Friday agreements.

There was still a great deal of uneasiness among the leaders of the parties which advanced varying assessments on the chances for a lasting peace.

Catholic leaders of Sin Fein expressed strong support for the reconvening of the Parliament and stated that this was the only way to end the violence which has gripped Ireland.

Protestant leaders were less positive stating that they will continue to listen to their people concerning their views on the power-sharing arrangements stating that they will discuss within their community whether to continue the implementation of the power-sharing arrangements over the next few months.

This reconvening does not mean that a new Northern Ireland Government has been formed. When the parties agree on a Northern Ireland Government, which will include filling the positions for Cabinet Ministers, the new Northern Ireland Government will take over from London local authority in the areas of health care, education and transportation.

Officials in the British government have indicated that it will not wait for all the parties in Northern Ireland to form a local government.

British Prime Minister Tony Blair and Irish Prime Minister Bertie Ahern have set a deadline of Nov. 24 for the Northern Ireland Legislature to elect such a government of cabinet ministers which would formally hold executive powers.

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