Hain urges parties to strive for devolution

NORTHERN Secretary Peter Hain yesterday challenged unionists and republicans yesterday to put direct rule ministers out of work during 2006.

Mr Hain urged both sides to make a major new push to restore devolution during the next 12 months - or else planned elections to the shelved Stormont regime will be pointless.

He said: “It is essential that there is real political movement in 2006, if the Assembly elections due to be held in 2007 are to have any meaning.”