Two sides in North closer than ever: Ahern

TAOISEACH Bertie Ahern yesterday said nationalists and unionists were closer in purpose and understanding now than at any time over the past two centuries.

Speaking at Fianna Fáil’s annual Wolfe Tone commemoration in Bodenstown, Co Kildare, Mr Ahern said the long-standing divisions between the two traditions had undergone profound change.

“In 200 years, there has never been as much dialogue and interaction between all the significant political groupings on this island as there is today,” he said.

“Nor has there ever been such broad agreement as exists now on the political framework that will govern the future evolution of relations within the North, between North and South, and between Britain and Ireland.”

Mr Ahern in his address to Fianna Fáil supporters, which included many senior ministers, said that the agreement reached during talks at St Andrews in Scotland provided a strong basis for concluding the peace process.

And in an expected passage, he quoted Ian Paisley in his address, reminding those present that it was perhaps the first time the DUP leader had ever been quoted at the commemoration.

“(Dr Paisley) said at St Andrews we were at a crossroad,” said the Taoiseach. “He spoke of a new light that could shine on our children and our grandchildren.

“We do not agree on everything but we fully share those sentiments,” said Mr Ahern.

The Taoiseach struck an optimistic note on the possibility of agreement before the November 24 deadline for devolved government.

He emphasised the duty on all political leaders to seize the massive opportunity of a lasting settlement. Referring to the great advances that have been made in the past 18 months — including IRA decommissioning and the elimination of violent incidents — he said: “I believe the agreement at St Andrews will finally and fully unlock the massive potential for permanent peace and progress on this island.”

Mr Ahern said he was mindful of difficulties but stressed the need to maintain momentum.

“I would strongly urge parties not to walk away at the first challenge. The push for final completion must not be allowed to stall,” he said.

In the course of his oration, he also paid a lengthy tribute to British prime minister Tony Blair, who is expected to step down in the next year.

After the event, Mr Ahern told reporters that the Irish Government was prepared to play its part in whatever is worked out on a so-called peace dividend.

The Taoiseach would not be drawn on the accuracy of reports in yesterday’s newspapers that the Government is planning to spend more than €1 billion on motorways, energy links and healthcare in the North.

Citing the instance of Derry Airport, he said that cooperation already existed and that talks at the highest level between the Governments would take place on areas that needed to be assessed.

He added that there was a very strong case for a standard rate of low corporation tax to be applied across the island of Ireland, notwithstanding the difficulties that would be created by differentiating Northern Ireland from Britain.

“We think that it would make a lot of sense,” he said, saying it would improve trading on the island of Ireland.