26 March 2007
The Prime Minister has praised the coming together of political parties to restore devolved government to Norther Ireland, calling it a "very important day" for the "people and the history of these islands."
The date of May 8 for the restoration of devolved Government to Northern Ireland was confirmed earlier today after a historic meeting between the leaders of the DUP and Sinn Fein.
Speakingin the House of Commons about the "remarkable" agreement, Mr Blair said:
"In a sense, everything we have done over the last ten years has been a preparation for this moment, because the people of Northern Ireland have spoken through the election.
"They have said we want peace and power-sharing and the political leadership has then come in behind that and said we will deliver what people want."
Mr Blair said today’s deal would not stop republicans or nationalists being republicans or nationalists, nor unionists remaining unionists.
"What it does mean is people can come together, respecting each other’s point of view and share power and make sure politics is only expressed through peaceful and democratic means.
"And in that it will give the people of Northern Ireland the future they want and give heart to all of us who have wanted this process over the past few years.
"Now at last we have a date certain for the devolution of power and a remarkable coming together of people who have, for very obvious reasons, been strongly opposed in the past."
A breakdown in trust between Northern Ireland’s political parties led to the Government suspending the Assembly in October 2002.
The "St Andrews agreement", finalised last year and presented as the Northern Ireland Bill, set out the terms for restoring devolution.
Its twin pillars were power-sharing on a fair and equitable basis, and support for policing and the rule of law across the whole community. March 26 was set as the deadline for restoring devolved government. Assembly elections took place earlier this month.
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