Northern Ireland's political leaders could hold their own among parliamentarians anywhere else in the world, former US senator George Mitchell said today.
As the North's parties headed towards a March 7th Assembly election, the former Stormont talks chairman said the power-sharing ministers who operated during the last period of devolution did a good job.
"In the short time that they did have authority and engage in self government, I think it's universally recognised that they did a good job," he said.
"They are certainly the equal of elected officials anywhere I've been, and I've dealt with parliamentarians here, in the US and around the world.
"I'd put the political leaders of Northern Ireland up against anyone. So they can govern themselves," said Mr Mitchell, who chaired the multiparty talks that led to the 1998 Belfast Agreement.
Prime Minister Tony Blair and Taoiseach Bertie Ahern hope that Sinn Féin's endorsement of policing in Northern Ireland will persuade the DUP to form a new power-sharing government on March 26th following the March 7th election.
Mr Mitchell said people had to be patient with the parties but that significant progress had occurred in Northern Ireland.
"It's a continuing process, slowly and with great difficulty to gain full implementation of the agreement and to return stable self government to Northern Ireland," he acknowledged.
"I think all of us have to be patient as they work their way through it."