Cowen praises SF on Executive

TAOISEACH BRIAN Cowen praised Sinn Féin's role in attempting to break the impasse in the Northern Executive.

He said the Executive had major potential in the context of working well for all the people across a range of issues.

"This is a critical issue and is one in respect of which many steps have been taken,'' Mr Cowen said.

"Sinn Féin has shown leadership on this question, and that is to be acknowledged.''

He added that even allowing for the effort on Sinn Féin's part, there was a need to try to find a way forward rather than feeling that they could go no further at this stage. "The disagreement relating to this matter is affecting everything else and there are potential consequences which everyone should try to avoid,'' he added.

Sinn Féin Dáil leader Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin said the current difficulties, which all hoped would be overcome as quickly as possible, were attributable to the fact that one of the participant parties in the Assembly was refusing to agree Executive agendas.

Several months had passed since the May deadline for the transfer of policing and justice powers from London to Belfast, said Mr Ó Caoláin.

Mr Cowen said it was correct that certain issues were long overdue for resolution, and that partnership required agreement.

"We will do everything we can to assist in that regard,'' he added.

"Ultimately, however, people in the Northern Ireland Executive must work together. A solution cannot only be imposed from outside; it must come from within."

Mr Cowen said there might be some benefit in trying to encourage people to work together in order to confirm that there was cross-community support.

"I accept that the conditions necessary to facilitate this happening are, for many people and in many respects, already in place,'' Mr Cowen said.