Taoiseach Welcomes Breakthrough in Northern Ireland

The Taoiseach, Mr Brian Cowen TD, has welcomed the announcement by the first and deputy First Ministers of Northern Ireland of their agreement on how to proceed with the devolution of policing and justice powers and the re-commencement of meetings of the Northern Ireland Executive.

The Taoiseach said:

“ I warmly welcome today’s announcement by the first and deputy First Ministers.

It is of great importance that devolution of policing and justice powers proceed.  Its successful completion will be the final piece of the jigsaw of the peace process.

It has become increasingly clear in recent weeks that the public wants and needs the Executive and all of the institutions to address the pressing economic and social issues that are being faced by all governments at this period of unprecedented difficulty in the global economy.  Northern Ireland is not immune from these global economic developments and I know that the Executive is acutely aware of this.

I look forward to the effective implementation of their proposals and to the restoration to full capacity of all of the political institutions.

The Government, along with the British Government, will continue to offer our support to the parties in Northern Ireland. 

We also look forward to working energetically with them, including through the North/South Ministerial Council, to tackle the enormous economic challenges now faced by everyone who lives on this island.

I commend the hard work and leadership shown by Peter Robinson, Martin McGuinness and their colleagues in coming to an agreement on these difficult issues. 

They have once again shown that democratic politics works. ”

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