St Andrews Agreement Taoiseach Bertie Ahern and British prime minister Tony Blair buoyed by generally positive response Helter-skelter, potentially momentous day Fears confirmed that devilish detail might not be there
Taoiseach Bertie Ahern and British prime minister Tony Blair were last night buoyed by the generally positive response to the sequenced set of proposals they presented to the Northern Ireland parties that could see full devolution restored to Northern Ireland by next March.
Called the St Andrews Agreement, it deals with the core issues of policing and powersharing, requiring DUP leader Ian Paisley to agree to enter into a Northern Executive with Sinn Féin and requiring Sinn Féin to endorse the PSNI at an ardfheis.
This breakthrough in the three-day St Andrews negotiations came after Dr Paisley and Mr Adams yesterday moderated their previous respective polarised positions on powersharing with Sinn Féin and on Sinn Féin endorsing the PSNI.
The parties have until November 10th to accept or reject the deal which addresses a wide range of other issues including a financial political dividend for Northern Ireland. All the party leaders including Dr Paisley said they would consult with their support base on the proposals. The tone of Dr Paisley's response particularly was measured and positive, providing hope to the governments that this roadmap to devolution might succeed.
Mr Ahern said the St Andrews Agreement was "fair and sustainable" and could see Mr Paisley and Sinn Féin's Martin McGuinness leading a Northern Executive as First Minister and Deputy First Minister. "I believe we have all of the elements that can bring satisfaction to all of the issues," he added.
Mr Blair said the governments believed the proposals provided "a sound basis" for a deal. "Of course everyone has had to make compromises during the course of these negotiations to get what they wanted, but nonetheless I think it is a proper and sound basis for doing it," he added.
"It gives us a chance to have institutions that are up and running, that are secure on a cross-community basis where all parties are in government working together for a shared future in Northern Ireland," added the prime minister.
Dr Paisley said "considerable progress" was made during the talks. "Unionism can have confidence that its interests are being advanced and democracy is finally winning the day," he said. He added that the DUP leadership would now consult with all levels of the party and its supporters. "We will make no final judgment until that process is complete," he said.
Dr Paisley said the onus was now on Sinn Féin to deliver on policing. "The DUP has been consistent in our demand that there must be delivery from the republican movement before devolution can be restored in Northern Ireland. The days of gunmen in government are over," he added.
Implicit in the sequencing deal is that Sinn Féin will call an ardfheis seeking to endorse the PSNI. Sinn Féin president Gerry Adams said an ard chomhairle would be called "soon" when it is expected a date will be set for the ardfheis.
Mr Adams said the proposals presented challenges for everyone including republicans. "I want to appeal to republicans to get this document, to study it, debate it and be part of the efforts to resolve all of these matters.
"I want to appeal to unionists to do the same thing," he added. "Today's paper by the two governments requires the thoughtful consideration of Sinn Féin and the other parties. The restoration of the political institutions, the removal of unaccountable British ministers and the restoration of all of the other political bodies, including the all-Ireland bodies is an enormous prize."
SDLP leader Mark Durkan said he hoped that Northern Ireland could "now move from the politics of stand-off to the politics of lift-off". He also warned against "side deals" that might isolate the smaller parties and of the agreement being unnecessarily nit-picked. Ulster Unionist leader Sir Reg Empey, also reacted positively describing it as the "Belfast Agreement for slow learners".
