Murphy calls for end to all paramilitary activity

Secretary of State Paul Murphy has said that there must be a complete, total and definitive end to all paramilitary activity.

Speaking on Radio Ulster this morning, Mr Murphy said that the two Prime Ministers emphasised at yesterday's meetings with the political parties the two main issues that needed to be tackle.

"All the meetings we had between ourselves and the different parties indicate that on the one hand we need to see a complete, total and definitive end to paramilitary activity across the board, both loyalist as well as republican," the Minister said.

"Secondly, an assurance of a willingness that everybody would be able to share power if we resolved the first issue."

The Secretary of State stressed that the two governments were determined not to allow the process drift.

Informal discussions will be held with the parties over the next few weeks and both Prime Minister Tony Blair and Taoiseach Bertie Ahern have made it clear that they are prepared to go into more intensive activity after Easter.

Mr Murphy added: "Some 10 years after the IRA ceasefire and six years after the Good Friday Agreement, it's time for all paramilitary activity to end.

"If we have that on one hand, and at the same time an understanding that people are prepared to share power, then we will make real progress."

Yesterday, Mr Blair and his Irish counterpart Mr Ahern met with Northern Ireland's political leaders in Hillsborough as the latest attempt to resuscitate the peace process got underway.

The talks were aimed at breathing fresh life into a process that has been in the doldrums despite an Assembly election last November and a review process conducted by the Secretary of State and Irish Foreign Minister, Brian Cowen.

(MB)