Opposition leaders hail agreement, but warn new deadline must be met

THE opposition broadly welcomed the historic meeting between Mr Adams and Mr Paisley yesterday.

Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny said he hoped the meeting would “open the way for ongoing direct engagement” between Sinn Féin and the DUP.

“The agreement reached today offers the real prospect of a lasting settlement and the realisation of the full potential of the Good Friday Agreement. In this context, I support the decision of the British Government to agree to a further delay in the restoration of devolution, provided that the new timetable is adhered to,” he added.

Labour leader Pat Rabbitte also welcomed the meeting and the commitment to power-sharing.

But he questioned the decision to set a new deadline of May 8 for the restoration of devolution.

“If they can reach agreement today, why not bite the bullet and immediately appoint ministers rather than enter into another incubation period during which anything could happen to destabilise the arrangement?” he asked.

“Amidst the understandable hype of today’s agreement, it should be remembered that the two governments have once again allowed another deadline to slip. They must therefore ensure that the May 8 deadline is respected if the process is not to be undermined further.”

He added: “That said, if today’s developments allow that to happen, then perhaps this short delay will ultimately be worth it.”

Green Party leader Trevor Sargent also struck a cautionary note by saying postponements beyond May 8 should not be tolerated.

“Northern Ireland cannot afford to drift further into limbo, and added postponements will not be acceptable to the people of Northern Ireland,” he said.

Sinn Féin Dáil leader Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin said it would have been preferable for the Executive to be put in place yesterday, but welcomed the truly historic” agreement and joint announcement.

It has the potential to open up a new era in the politics of this island,” he said.