10 February 2008
Joint statement with the Taoiseach on Northern Ireland. The two leaders said that the Mr Brown and Mr Ahern said that the vision of peace and prosperity was "at last becoming a reality".
Read the statement
It has long been the shared vision of the British and Irish Governments that the people of Northern Ireland should enjoy peace and prosperity, with the full benefits of locally elected, inclusive democratic institutions.
That vision is at last becoming a reality:
- the political parties have been working together in a sustained manner to tackle the essential political, economic and social issues facing Northern Ireland. Their elected leaders have been promoting Northern Ireland and putting the case for greater investment at the highest levels in the United States and in Europe;
- we have seen the smooth running of the North-South and British-Irish Institutions, delivering tangible benefits both on the island of Ireland and across these islands;
It is therefore with genuine confidence that we look forward to the continued success of these institutions.
We also look forward to participating in the Northern Ireland Investment Conference on 8 May. This will be an opportunity for Northern Ireland to demonstrate to the world that the peace and stability it now enjoys is here to stay, and to look forward with confidence to a prosperous future.
We stand ready to help the political parties as they work to complete the process of devolution through the devolution of policing and justice powers. It remains our shared view that the full implementation of all aspects of the St Andrews Agreement is building the community confidence necessary to enable the transfer of these powers to take place.
Having seen the huge progress made, we are convinced that the time is right for the parties to move forward and take the final steps towards full devolution and full normality.
These are enormously hopeful and positive days for the people of Northern Ireland.
Our two Governments remain fully committed to working closely together in partnership for the benefit of Northern Ireland and of all of the people of our two countries.
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