Government Statement on Restoration of the Northern Institutions
The Government warmly welcomes the restoration this morning of the Northern Ireland Executive and Assembly. The courage and leadership shown by all of the proAgreement parties in responding to the two Governments Hillsborough initiative have made this breakthrough possible.
There is now an opportunity, on a sustained basis, to make the Good Friday Agreement work for all of the people of the island, North and South. The Government looks forward to the early resumption of meetings of the North/South Ministerial Council and the BritishIrish Council, and work to this end is already under way. It is also imperative that all other aspects of the Agreement be fully implemented, as set out in the joint statement of 5 May, and the Government will be working closely with the British Government and others to bring this about.
The institutions, and the Agreement, can and will succeed if operated in a spirit of partnership, accommodation and mutual respect. A future of lasting peace and shared prosperity is now within our grasp.