The SDLP leader, Mr John Hume, has called for a "commonsense" approach to the problem of decommissioning.
Addressing the Patrick MacGill Summer School in Glenties, Co Donegal, yesterday, he said his understanding of the IRA's recent statement was that it had formulated a scheme under which it would work with Gen John de Chastelain, head of the decommissioning body. Mr Hume said he looked forward to that scheme being implemented. "The commonsense approach to decommissioning is that paramilitary organisations work directly with Gen de Chastelain," he said.
Before he delivered the inaugural John Hume Lecture yesterday, he said the recent suspension of the Northern Ireland Assembly had been "regrettable" but it had always been obvious that difficulties would arise. "Our answer to them should be to deal with them in common sense, which is working together."
Mr Hume said the North needed a period "without political interruptions" during which the economic and social disruption of the last 30 years could be tackled. The most frustrating aspect had been knowing that politicians were dealing with issues which their European colleagues settled decades earlier.
"All the time that political leaders in Northern Ireland spent dealing with our conflict was time that our European counterparts were busy enhancing social and economic conditions in their countries and adapting their countries to the massive economic and social changes of the last three decades." He hoped political leaders in the North would now be able to concentrate on an economic and social agenda.
Focusing on the social and economic situation could bring divided communities together, Mr Hume said. "The common ground that we will work together will be our socio-economic development and, as we succeed in that field, we will give real hope to our young people."
However, the SDLP leader said it was important to recognise that the world had not stood still while the conflict in the North continued.
Northern Ireland had not shared the economic revival of the Republic. Unemployment and poverty were still at unacceptable levels in the North. Its industrial and commercial structure was not typical of a highly developed country. It was still heavily dependent on agriculture and there remained a serious problem in terms of the educational and technical qualifications of a large part of the population. The problems of the victims of the Troubles were also a matter of concern.
Mr Hume noted that Ireland, traditionally an exporter of people, was now an importer of people. "That is welcome, as all dynamic societies attract people from outside and should be regarded as a sign of success."
He said there was no way to hold back the tide of globalisation. "We can ensure that this transformation takes place to the benefit of humanity, rather than as a new form of imperialism or exploitation."