'Last chance' to make power-sharing work - Taoiseach
Politicians meeting tomorrow to revive power-sharing in Northern Ireland could have their last chance for 20 years, Taoiseach Bertie Ahern said today.
The 108 Assembly members gather at Stormont outside Belfast for the first time since the forum was suspended amid IRA spying allegations in late 2002.
Political parties will try initially to restore devolution within six weeks but the British and Irish governments have given them an ultimate deadline of November 24.
Mr Ahern said today that major issues like IRA criminality, paramilitarism and arms decommissioning were now resolved and should no longer block talks between republicans and unionists.
“It is a major achievement, I think, to get there and I’m very happy we’re there,” he said.
“For the first time since 2002, we’ve achieved the resolution of so many issues that have bedevilled us for 30 years or even for 130 years.
“We have to get through the formalities and move it on in a positive way.”
He added: “Now is the hour. Tony Blair and I are two realistic guys who have spent a total of 20 years on this. We’ve got it to here.
“I think November is too long but I went with the compromise.”
He continued: “To go any longer will just be a nonsense. It will be unworkable and will flake away.
“If we can’t do it in six months, then we’re unlikely to do it this side of the next 20 years.”
Speaking about his long-time commitment to the Northern Ireland peace process, he quipped: “I’ve been in more castles around England than I thought existed, spending days and days and hours and hours talking.”
Progressive Unionist Party leader David Ervine on Saturday joined the Ulster Unionist Party group of 25 Assembly members which means it will be able to claim three ministries in a future Stormont executive.
Sinn Féin still have 24 MLAs and will only be eligible for two ministries.
Sinn Féin general secretary Mitchel McLaughlin described the UUP’s recruitment of loyalist leader Mr Ervine as breathtaking hypocrisy because it had refused in the past to engage with his party over its links to the IRA.
Mr Ahern said today that he looked with horror at the alternative to peace in conflict zones around the country.
“We’re recently seeing a lot of constructive issues being dealt with by Sinn Féin and the DUP. What they’re saying now is very different to what I had to listen to in 2001 and 2002. That gives me huge heart.
“Real politics for real people to deal with real everyday issues in Northern Ireland doesn’t seem unreasonable.
“Politicians everywhere in the world ultimately have to make the decision. Do they want conflict, disharmony, hatred and bigotry which usually leads to death and atrocities.
“Politicians in Northern Ireland are good people. There can never be a one-party system. There has to be cross-community consent.
“Monday starts that and there’s six months to decide. I hope they do it right and I believe they will,” he told RTE Radio.
He dismissed speculation that he or Mr Blair were under time pressures due to their political careers as just a sideshow.
The Assembly last sat in October 2002 when a row over allegations that republicans operated a spy ring forced the British Government to suspend devolution.
Since then, there have been three failed attempts to establish a multi-party government.
The DUP has also in that time overtaken the Ulster Unionists and become Northern Ireland’s largest party.
But with the IRA last year announcing an end to its armed campaign and completing its disarmament programme, Mr Ahern and Mr Blair are hopeful that an executive can be formed this year.
