The killing of Denis Donaldson is a tragic reminder of what we stand to lose if we cannot move politics forward. To go backwards is unthinkable, writes Bertie Ahern
The brutal murder of Denis Donaldson in Co Donegal earlier this week was a terrible reminder of the past. I condemn it in the strongest terms. The gardaí have our full support in their work to bring whoever was responsible to justice.
Whoever committed this foul murder was no friend of the peace process, no friend of peaceful, positive politics on this island.
Yesterday in Armagh, Tony Blair and I announced our strategy to complete the peace process and achieve the restoration of all of the democratic institutions of the Belfast Agreement.
Relations between Ireland and Britain have never been better. Prime minister Blair and I are absolutely at one on our objectives and on our strategy. Our joint strategy is transparent and honest. And it is reasonable and fair.
After almost four year in suspension, Northern Ireland's Belfast Agreement Assembly will be restored on May 15th. The primary responsibility of the Assembly will be the election of a first and deputy first minister and a power-sharing Executive. It will also have an opportunity to make preparations for government.
When an Executive is elected, the Executive and Assembly will immediately receive all the powers envisaged under the agreement.
The paralysis caused by suspension has only been to the detriment of the ordinary people of this island, of both traditions, North and South. That paralysis can be removed next month, if the parties in Northern Ireland are prepared to work together in all of the institutions.
Everything that we are doing is firmly rooted in the principles and the framework of the agreement.
We hope that elected politicians assume the responsibility and privilege of government within six weeks of the reconvening of the Assembly.
But we also know that there is a deficit of trust and confidence.
We cannot ignore the difficulties that have prevented progress, any more than we can ignore the huge changes that have got us all within touching distance of final success. That is why we have made a judgment that politicians should be given more time, if they need it, to resolve their difficulties.
That time will be short and it will be definitive.
The people cannot be expected to wait forever for local politicians to take responsibility in Northern Ireland.
If an Executive cannot be successfully formed with cross-community support by November 24th, then the governments are agreed that we will exercise our responsibilities to ensure that the agreement is implemented to the maximum possible extent for the benefit of all communities. That will include North-South and east-west co-operation, as well as human rights, equality and other provisions of the agreement.
Relations between North and South are constantly improving. As well as the North-South bodies, there is deep and active co-operation across a wide range of economic and social issues, including the island economy, infrastructure, the development of the northwest, health and education. The case for North-South co-operation has been tested and it has been accepted. It makes sense.
It brings benefits to everyone on this island and it is a major Government priority. East-west co-operation also continues apace.
And in the other areas covered by the agreement, the scale of positive change since 1998 is enormous. We have seen reform of policing and criminal justice.
We have seen a range of actions and policies to promote equality and human rights. We have seen the decommissioning of IRA weapons. And just this week, we saw more work on the removal of British army watchtowers from south Armagh. This is part of an overall programme of normalisation and another visible manifestation of the new, peaceful society that is being built. But anyone with any knowledge of the North knows that leaving things as they are is not a realistic or responsible option.
History teaches us that to stand still is to store up difficulties for the future. To go backwards is unthinkable. This killing of Denis Donaldson is a tragic reminder of what we stand to lose.
A devolved, partnership government offers the best hope of healing the deep division that has been at the heart of society in Northern Ireland.
There cannot be reconciliation and a shared future for ordinary people without leadership from those politicians who have been given the democratic responsibility to lead. We want them to take responsibility and give leadership.
Political leaders must represent the interests of their supporters, but they must also have dialogue with their opponents.
The way to do that is to talk to each other and to work together for the good of everyone in the community. The place to do that, for all elected politicians, is in the democratic institutions of the Belfast Agreement.
It is time to talk and it is time to agree.