27 May 2004

'Intensive' talks to resume after election says Murphy

Intensive negotiations with Northern Ireland's political parties, with the aim of restoring the devolved administrations, will resume after the European Elections on June 10, the government has announced.

Speaking during Northern Ireland Questions in the House of Commons on Wednesday, Secretary of State, Paul Murphy said that while it had been disappointing that devolved government had not returned to Northern Ireland six months after the Assembly elections, he was positive that all parties in the province were serious about the restoration of devolution.

"Every party in Northern Ireland wants to see the institutions restored and after the European Election, we will resume intensive negotiations with the aim of setting up the institutions," he added.

Meanwhile, Mr Murphy has said that Northern Ireland must find ways of dealing with the past which recognises the pain, grief and anger associated with it, but which also enables it to build a better future for the next generation.

In a written statement to Parliament, the Secretary of State told MPs that he is to embark on a programme of discussions to look at this complex and highly sensitive subject with no ready-made solutions.

"I want to proceed in a way which respects the feelings of all concerned and which takes nothing for granted," Mr Murphy said. "Over the weeks ahead I will be embarking on a programme of discussion with a wide range of people with relevant experiences and expertise.

"These discussions will initially take the form of private soundings which will in due course lead to wider consultation. I will also be commissioning work of relevant international experience which will cover the sort of processes which others have used in seeking to come to terms with the past."

The ongoing work of Victims' Minister Angela Smith, who has been involved in careful consultation about the needs of victims and the way Government and society should respond, will continue.

(MB)