Adams urges Government to pressurise London

Sinn Féin president Mr Gerry Adams said today the Government has a duty to keep Downing Street true to its word on the Belfast…

Sinn Féin president Mr Gerry Adams said today the Government has a duty to keep Downing Street true to its word on the Belfast Agreement.

Mr Adams said there had not yet been any substantial progress in resolving the crisis in the peace process.

Speaking in Dublin before a meeting with the Taoiseach Mr Ahern, he spoke of the British government's failure to move on a range of issues. He also said he will be heading to Washington on Monday for three days of briefings with senior politicians.

"There is a clear onus on the Irish government as a co-equal partner to the Good Friday Agreement to keep the British government focussed on its obligations," Mr Adams said.

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"But there is also a responsibility on the Irish government around some matters which are its responsibility. These include the decision to cut funding of the North-South Irish language body Foras na Gaeilge.

"The 11 per cent cut is effectively a reneging of commitments made by the Irish government in the Good Friday Agreement," he said.

He said the Northern Ireland Office had shown no regard for the Irish language and had effectively been given an excuse to cut back on its funding too.

PA