POLITICAL RESOLUTION CAN BE 'AN EXAMPLE TO THE WORLD'
Political resolution can be 'an example to the world'
By William Graham
Political Correspondent and PA
THE resolution of the conflict in Northern Ireland could show the world how a shared future can emerge from the most bitterly divided and blood stricken past, Secretary of State Peter Hain said yesterday.
According to Mr Hain the "final resolution" has now been reached to what was the most intractable source of political conflict in Europe, although he acknowledged that divided communities remain in the north of Ireland. At question time in the Commons Prime Minister Tony Blair also described the "atmospherics" at Stormont on Tuesday as an extremely good "augury".
"I really believe there is the will now to make this work in Northern Ireland and one of the most interesting things about the recent election is that they were back to what I call the normal bread and butter issues of politics and that's a huge advance," Mr Blair said. Labour's John McFall, a former Northern Ireland Office minister, recalled telephoning Mr Blair on August 15 1998 about the Omagh bombing.
He told Mr Blair: "It is a testament to the courage and the will of people of Northern Ireland that we've come a long way from that almost fatal wound of Omagh where once mortal enemies are now discussing the real stuff of politics - of education, jobs, welfare and, dare I say, water rates."
Mr Hain said he did not think it was possible to overestimate the significance of the events at Stormont.
He said Ian Paisley and Martin McGuinness preached together at Stormont "a common gospel of healing". But Mr Hain said there were still divided communities and warned the loyalist movement could be left behind unless it can "get- into the mainstream and catch the tide".
Mr Hain said a "global solution" to the deeply divisive issue of parading needed to be found and there are still too many "peace walls"
Shadow Northern Ireland secretary David Lidington said: "Peace today would not have been possible without the courage and sacrifice of the police and the armed forces and the dogged endurance of the people of Northern Ireland over 40 years of violence."
Eddie McGrady, SDLP MP for South Down, said that there must now be a shared future involving the entire community, describing what happened at Stormont as "a new beginning". He also urged Mr Hain to ensure there would be reasonable financial backing.
For the Liberal Democrats Lembit Opik paid tribute to past Northern Ireland secretaries and political figures and "to the unsung heroes of the
peace process, the Alliance Party of Northern Ireland, whose contribution far exceeded the size of the party".
Meanwhile, UUP MP Lady Hermon said the new first minister was also moderator of a church which taught that homosexuality was evil.
She sought an assurance on behalf of young gay people in Northern Ireland that there would be no diminution of their rights and protection.
Mr Hain said that existing legislation made it impossible to exercise any discrimination against people on grounds of their sexuality.
By William Graham
Political Correspondent and PA
THE resolution of the conflict in Northern Ireland could show the world how a shared future can emerge from the most bitterly divided and blood stricken past, Secretary of State Peter Hain said yesterday.
According to Mr Hain the "final resolution" has now been reached to what was the most intractable source of political conflict in Europe, although he acknowledged that divided communities remain in the north of Ireland. At question time in the Commons Prime Minister Tony Blair also described the "atmospherics" at Stormont on Tuesday as an extremely good "augury".
"I really believe there is the will now to make this work in Northern Ireland and one of the most interesting things about the recent election is that they were back to what I call the normal bread and butter issues of politics and that's a huge advance," Mr Blair said. Labour's John McFall, a former Northern Ireland Office minister, recalled telephoning Mr Blair on August 15 1998 about the Omagh bombing.
He told Mr Blair: "It is a testament to the courage and the will of people of Northern Ireland that we've come a long way from that almost fatal wound of Omagh where once mortal enemies are now discussing the real stuff of politics - of education, jobs, welfare and, dare I say, water rates."
Mr Hain said he did not think it was possible to overestimate the significance of the events at Stormont.
He said Ian Paisley and Martin McGuinness preached together at Stormont "a common gospel of healing". But Mr Hain said there were still divided communities and warned the loyalist movement could be left behind unless it can "get- into the mainstream and catch the tide".
Mr Hain said a "global solution" to the deeply divisive issue of parading needed to be found and there are still too many "peace walls"
Shadow Northern Ireland secretary David Lidington said: "Peace today would not have been possible without the courage and sacrifice of the police and the armed forces and the dogged endurance of the people of Northern Ireland over 40 years of violence."
Eddie McGrady, SDLP MP for South Down, said that there must now be a shared future involving the entire community, describing what happened at Stormont as "a new beginning". He also urged Mr Hain to ensure there would be reasonable financial backing.
For the Liberal Democrats Lembit Opik paid tribute to past Northern Ireland secretaries and political figures and "to the unsung heroes of the
peace process, the Alliance Party of Northern Ireland, whose contribution far exceeded the size of the party".
Meanwhile, UUP MP Lady Hermon said the new first minister was also moderator of a church which taught that homosexuality was evil.
She sought an assurance on behalf of young gay people in Northern Ireland that there would be no diminution of their rights and protection.
Mr Hain said that existing legislation made it impossible to exercise any discrimination against people on grounds of their sexuality.
Further Information
Publisher: THE IRISH NEWS
Ref: IN/0844
Published Date: 10-May-07
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