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24/09/2001
Northern Ireland Assembly: Suspended for the last time?
Northern Ireland Secretary of State Dr John Reid has pushed the reset button on the Northern Ireland Assembly for what he has said is the last time.
Speaking on BBC’s Breakfast with Frost on Sunday, Dr Reid warned the protagonists that this temporary respite must not be squandered again: “What I have done is extend the time during which we may have a breathing space and I would hope that no-one, inside or outside Northern Ireland, will underestimate the serious position that we are now in.”
Dr Reid emphasised that a window of opportunity presented itself rarely and if missed the peace process could be set back years. He again called on the IRA to decommission - a step they had said they were prepared to take.
Announcing the suspension of devolved government in Northern Ireland of Friday evening, Dr Reid said: “When I restored the institutions on 11 August my hope was that early progress would be possible to secure the full implementation of all the outstanding issues under the Good Friday Agreement.
“I did not at that point believe that it would be right to contemplate a further short suspension, now if those issues remained unresolved. In the past six weeks, however, circumstances have changed”.
He said three things had changes during the period: the deadlock on policing had been broken; that the IRA had announced intensification of engagement with the Independent International Commission on Decommissioning; and that the terrorist attack on the United States had “inevitably overshadowed everything”.
Dr Reid emphasised that the choice had to be made between democracy and terror – a choice that left no room for ambiguity. The attack served to remind everyone the unbearable consequences of “wrong choices”.
Dr Reid later met with the Irish Foreign Minister, Brian Cowen, to consider the next steps in the review required under the Northern Ireland Act 2000 so that devolved institutions could be restored.
However, Northern Ireland politicians hit out at the suspension of the assembly, which they said called into question the institutions’ credibility. (SP)
Speaking on BBC’s Breakfast with Frost on Sunday, Dr Reid warned the protagonists that this temporary respite must not be squandered again: “What I have done is extend the time during which we may have a breathing space and I would hope that no-one, inside or outside Northern Ireland, will underestimate the serious position that we are now in.”
Dr Reid emphasised that a window of opportunity presented itself rarely and if missed the peace process could be set back years. He again called on the IRA to decommission - a step they had said they were prepared to take.
Announcing the suspension of devolved government in Northern Ireland of Friday evening, Dr Reid said: “When I restored the institutions on 11 August my hope was that early progress would be possible to secure the full implementation of all the outstanding issues under the Good Friday Agreement.
“I did not at that point believe that it would be right to contemplate a further short suspension, now if those issues remained unresolved. In the past six weeks, however, circumstances have changed”.
He said three things had changes during the period: the deadlock on policing had been broken; that the IRA had announced intensification of engagement with the Independent International Commission on Decommissioning; and that the terrorist attack on the United States had “inevitably overshadowed everything”.
Dr Reid emphasised that the choice had to be made between democracy and terror – a choice that left no room for ambiguity. The attack served to remind everyone the unbearable consequences of “wrong choices”.
Dr Reid later met with the Irish Foreign Minister, Brian Cowen, to consider the next steps in the review required under the Northern Ireland Act 2000 so that devolved institutions could be restored.
However, Northern Ireland politicians hit out at the suspension of the assembly, which they said called into question the institutions’ credibility. (SP)
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28 March 2024
Rates Suspension And Refunds For Victoria Square Apartment Owners
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29 May 2012
Access To Republic Of Ireland Digital TV Channels Confirmed For Northern Ireland
TV viewers in Northern Ireland will be able to watch TG4 and RTÉ One and Two on Freeview following digital TV switchover, the UK Government confirmed today.
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TV viewers in Northern Ireland will be able to watch TG4 and RTÉ One and Two on Freeview following digital TV switchover, the UK Government confirmed today.
13 June 2005
The 2005 Birthday Honours List for Northern Ireland
The full list of recipients of honours in the 2005 Birthday Honours list for Northern Ireland is as follows: Knighthood: Mr Hugh Orde OBE, Chief Constable, Police Service of Northern Ireland - for services to Northern Ireland. CBE: Mr Robert David Stewart Campbell, Belfast - For Political and public service.
The 2005 Birthday Honours List for Northern Ireland
The full list of recipients of honours in the 2005 Birthday Honours list for Northern Ireland is as follows: Knighthood: Mr Hugh Orde OBE, Chief Constable, Police Service of Northern Ireland - for services to Northern Ireland. CBE: Mr Robert David Stewart Campbell, Belfast - For Political and public service.
17 August 2001
Policing plan for Northern Ireland is announced
Secretary of State Dr John Reid announced the updated policing plan for Northern Ireland on Friday.
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13 February 2002
Reid tells Americans 'Northern Ireland people understand'
The Secretary of State John Reid has told the Americans that the people of Northern Ireland understand how they feel in the face of the threat of terrorism.
Reid tells Americans 'Northern Ireland people understand'
The Secretary of State John Reid has told the Americans that the people of Northern Ireland understand how they feel in the face of the threat of terrorism.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A few fog patches at first, soon clearing to leave a dry day with some patchy cloud and good sunny spells. Light and variable winds. Feeling mild in sunny spells. Maximum temperature 14 °C.Tonight:Dry and quite chilly overnight under prolonged clear spells and light winds. This will allow a few fog patches to develop in places. Minimum temperature 2 °C.
