Reynolds: Stormont chaos should not derail power sharing
The chaos caused by Michael Stone at Stormont should not be allowed to derail Northern power-sharing, a key architect of the peace process said today.
Former Taoiseach Albert Reynolds worked closely with British prime minister John Major to secure a historic IRA ceasefire in August 1994.
Mr Reynolds said today the Irish and British governments need to find a formula to encourage the DUP and Sinn Féin to move forward together.
He said: “I believe it can be done. There is still a job to be done in finding a formula for both sides, who don’t trust each other, to move forward.”
He said the current situation is similar to what faced him during his term as Taoiseach in 1992-1994.
“I spoke to both sides back then and discovered that they needed a formula that they could both subscribe to, but it wasn’t easily found.
“The DUP never believed that the IRA would deliver a permanent ceasefire or destroy their arms. We found a way past those obstacles and this is the last one now.”
He added that he had no doubt the two Governments will move the process forward to encourage Sinn Féin to sign up to policing and entice the DUP into a power-sharing Assembly.
Mr Reynolds and Mr Major signed the Joint Downing Street Declaration in 1993 - a forerunner of the Good Friday Agreement five years later.
He added: “I never believed that Mr Paisley was going to comply with the dates fixed by the governments. He’s not that type of individual. I’m not surprised that he didn’t sign up today.
Mr Reynolds also said he believed the Northern elections in March will provide a critical juncture in the current process.
“That is a certain way forward because the people will have made the decision.”
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