Governments reiterate support for St Andrews deal

Northern Ireland Secretary Peter Hain met Minister for Foreign Affairs Dermot Ahern in Dublin today to discuss how the two governments…

Northern Ireland Secretary Peter Hain met Minister for Foreign Affairs Dermot Ahern in Dublin today to discuss how the two governments could lock down support for the St Andrews Agreement.

Speaking about recent political developments, Mr Hain said in Dublin: "We're determined to get the final settlement in place. Everything stands together or falls together."

Mr Ahern confirmed that intensive talks were ongoing between the British and Irish governments and the political parties to achieve further progress.

"I would hope that we can get over this line," he added.

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Northern Ireland's politicians have until November 10 to tell the British and Irish Governments whether they will implement the agreement that was forged at the end of three days of talks in St Andrews in Scotland two weeks ago.

The British-Irish Intergovernmental Conference discussed recent political issues, security matters, parades, loyalism, policing and criminal justice and human rights and community relations.

A joint communique said afterwards: "The two governments remain convinced that all parties wish to see devolution restored".

The Governments reiterated that their deadline for progress remains firm and that in the event of failure to agree, they will proceed on the basis of the new British-Irish partnership arrangements to implement the Belfast Agreement.

Also attending today's conference in Iveagh House were Northern Ireland Office ministers David Hanson and Paul Goggins.

Speaking at a conference on development of the border region today, Gerry Adams said the Rev Ian Paisley's initial reaction to the St Andrews Agreement is a significant step forward for his community

"The most important outcome of the St Andrews talks is that DUP leader Ian Paisley said 'yes', even if it was a qualified 'yes' and even if he had wobbled since then," said Mr Adams

"The fact is that Ian Paisley's conditional 'yes' at St Andrews is a positive shift for rejectionist unionism. "That is good for the rest of the people of this island."