Politics.be - 8 mei: nieuwe gesprekken Sinn Fein

Flash: Parties agree new date for power-sharing

Sinn Fein and the DUP have agreed a new deal to start sharing power on
May 8 following historic face-to-face talks between DUP leader Ian
Paisley and Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams at Stormont today.

The meeting between the two parties, lasting an hour, took place in the
dining room at Stormont's Parliament Buildings and came after Assembly
speaker Eileen bell postponed a full meeting of the newly-elected
Belfast Assembly.

The deal postpones the return of the power-sharing institutions for six
weeks, a datge which is expected to be ratified by legislation in the
London parliament later today.

Mr Paisley said today's meeting between the parties represented "an
important step" on the road to the setting-up of a power-sharing
executive in six weeks' time.

"Our goal has been to see devolution returned in a context where it can
make a real, meaningful improvement in the lives of all the people of
this part of the United Kingdom.

"On Saturday, the DUP executive overwhelmingly endorsed a motion
committing our party to support and participate fully in government in
May of this year - this is a binding resolution."

Mr Paisley said there would be regular meetings between himself and
Sinn Fein's Martin McGuinness and there would be a programme of work
set up between now and the new devolution date.

Welcoming Mr Paisley's remarks, Gerry Adams said the discussions and
agreement between the two parties "shows the potential of what can now
be achieved".

Mr Adams said the basis of the agreement followed from Ian Paisley's
"unequivocal and welcome commitment to support and participate fully in
the political institutions" on May 8th.

"It is a time for generosity, a time to be mindful of the common good
and of the future of all our people," said Mr Adams.

"Collectively we have created the potential to build a new, harmonious
and equitable relationship between nationalists and republicans and
unionists, as well as the rest of the people of the island of Ireland.

"Sinn Fein will take nothing for granted in the days and weeks ahead
but we will do all that we can to ensure a successful outcome and we
ask everyone to support us in our efforts."

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The following is the full text of Mr Adams's statement following the
conclusion of today's meeting with the DUP delegation.
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"I want to begin my remarks by welcoming the statement by Ian Paisley.

While it is disappointing that the institutions of the Good Friday
Agreement have not been restored today, I believe the agreement reached
between Sinn Fein and the DUP, including the unequivocal commitment,
made by their party Executive and reiterated today, to the restoration
of political institutions on May 8th, marks the beginning of a new era
of politics on this island.

The discussions and agreement between our two parties shows the
potential of what can now be achieved.

Sinn Fein entered into these discussions in a positive and strategic
way strengthened by our recently renewed and increased mandate. I want
to once again thank everyone who supports our party.

Ta muid buioch daoibh go leir.

In all of the initiatives we have taken in recent times we have been
guided by the need to deliver for the people of Ireland. So, in our
discussions we have listened very carefully to the position put forward
by Ian Paisley and his colleagues.

The relationships between the people of this island have been marred by
centuries of discord, conflict, hurt and tragedy.

In particular this has been the sad history of orange and green. Ach ta
tus nua ann anois le cuidiu De..

Sinn Fein is about building a new relationship between orange and green
and all the other colours, where every citizen can share and have
equality of ownership of a peaceful, prosperous and just future.

There are still many challenges, many difficulties to be faced. But let
us be clear. The basis of the agreement between Sinn Fein and the DUP
follows Ian Paisley's unequivocal and welcome commitment to support and
participate fully in the political institutions on May 8th.

In the lead up to restoration important work has to take place
preparing for government. And you have the outline of that also.

As an immediate step both Sinn Fein and the DUP have asked the British
government not to issue the water bills.

Tus maith leath na hoibre. A good start is half the work.

The two governments also have other work to do.

We are committed to, and today discussed, further engagements with the
British Chancellor, with the Irish government, and with others to
ensure that the incoming Executive has the best possible resources to
fulfil our responsibilities.

We have all come a very long way in the process of peace making and
national reconciliation.

We are very conscious of the many people who have suffered.

We owe it to them to build the best future possible.

It is a time for generosity, a time to be mindful of the common good
and of the future of all our people.

I am pleased to say that collectively we have created the potential to
build a new, harmonious and equitable relationship between nationalists
and republicans and unionists, as well as the rest of the people of the
island of Ireland.

Sinn Fein will take nothing for granted in the days and weeks ahead but
we will do all that we can to ensure a successful outcome and we ask
everyone to support us in our efforts."