In response to today's joint statement by Prime Minister Tony Blair and Taoiseach Bertie Ahern on their plans to restore a devolved Northern Ireland Assembly by November 24 2006, politicians have been giving their reactions.

In a statement from Ulster Unionist Party Leader, Sir Reg Empey said that he welcomed "an apparently definitive line being drawn in the sand."

Sir Reg said: "We, as elected politicians, have a duty to work, legislate and make key decisions for the electorate. The current stasis, interminable political dribbling and rounds of discussions must be brought to a close. We urgently need to have an input into and make changes to Direct Rule decisions on Education, Water Rates and the Review of Public Administration to name but three. This is our job. It is what we are paid, and what we are elected, to do. Ulster Unionists will positively engage with parties and government during the recall period."

The UUP leader continued by saying that Unionists have never responded to any form of blackmail whether it was from the IRA or Government. However, Sir Reg said that today's announcement posed a serious threat to the future which, he said, Unionists would have to address with "imagination in the coming months."

Sir Reg concluded: "This statement confirms the complete failure of DUP policy. There is clearly a renewed commitment from both London and Dublin to the implementation of the Agreement, with or without devolution.

"While threats clearly exist as a result of this statement, so do opportunities for Unionists. It will be our job to ensure that it is the opportunities and not the threats that are seized in the coming months."

Speaking earlier, Sinn Fein President Gerry Adams said that although the party had concerns about the timeframe about certain aspects of the Prime Minister and Taoiseach's statement, they think the proposals are a positive step forward.

However, DUP leader, Ian Paisley, said he was not convinced that the IRA would be able to bring an end to their involvement in criminality by the November 24 deadline.

He said: "Given the reality that there will be no executive formed for the foreseeable future, the best way forward is to get working on the assembly."

(EF/SP)