Paisley refuses to rule out 'miracle' return to assembly
DUP leader Rev Ian Paisley said today it will take a miracle for all parties to meet the November 24 deadline for the restoration of the Northern Assembly.
But speaking in Downing Street after holding talks with Tony Blair, he added: “Miracles do happen.”
The British Prime Minister and Bertie Ahern are due in Armagh on Thursday to announce new proposals to revive the power sharing executive in shadow form next month in advance of full restoration of the institutions in Belfast by November.
But Mr Paisley restated today that he would not enter an institution with Sinn Féin until it proved it was working within the law.
“No one can be in a Government of Ireland until they are absolutely clear of terrorism and criminality.
“That’s our position and we are sticking to it.
“The Prime Minister agrees that we cannot have them in Government if they are still involved in terrorism and criminality.”
He said he maintained that the IRA had not decommissioned all of its weapons, and he wanted to “see on the ground” that it had happened.
Yesterday Mr Blair met Sinn Féin president Gerry Adams, the party’s chief negotiator Martin McGuiness and spokesman Gerry Kelly for similar talks.
Afterwards, Mr McGuiness said: “We have made it absolutely clear that under no circumstances are we going to participate in a shadow assembly or shadow committees.
“We will not give our consent to the formation of such committees. These are the demands of the DUP because they want to see the continuation of unionist domination.
“What needs to be done is that the suspension of institutions should be ended. If the DUP are not prepared to participate in that then they should move on.”
