"THE ball is in the IRA's court. The goals haven't shifted," Dr Mo Mowlam said in Belfast at the weekend.
The new Northern Secretary said the onus for rejuvenating the peace process lies with the IRA, which should call "some kind of ceasefire". She recognised the validity of Sinn Fein's vote in last week's Westminster election but stressed that all party talks could take place only in nonviolent conditions.
Dr Mowlam hoped she would bring "sensitivity, directness and openness" to the process, but stressed that she could only bring the politicians together and encourage them to reach agreement. Ultimately, it was their responsibility and that of the people of Northern Ireland to make decisions.
In a later statement, Dr Mowlam also promised to implement the North Report on parades with "care and sensitivity". However, it is believed she may not be able to legislate to give statutory powers to the newly formed parades commission before the marching season.
Baroness Denton, the North's former economy minister, welcomed the appointment of the first woman Northern Secretary, saying: "I have always said that if there were more women then the path to peace would be shorter. Women are good at managing change.