SDLP: 'No renegotiation' in devolution talks

Round-table political talks next week attempting to renew devolution in Northern Ireland must focus on the implementation of the Good Friday Agreement - not its renegotiation, a nationalist leader insisted tonight.

Mark Durkan, leader of the SDLP and Deputy First Minister in the suspended Executive, admitted talks repairing the power-sharing administration may be arduous and that they would take time.

Northern Ireland Secretary Paul Murphy has invited the parties to half-day talks at Stormont on Thursday which he will jointly chair with Irish Foreign Affairs minister Brian Cowen.

Mr Durkan insisted: “Those talks must be focused on the implementation of the Agreement, not its renegotiation – there is nothing to renegotiate.”

In an address to pupils at a Co Down school he said: “People are not vexed by the Executive, disturbed by the Assembly, or outraged by the North-South ministerial Council.

“They are simply disillusioned at the failure of so many parties to live up to all of the Agreement’s commitments.”

The talks could not be a half day wonder to provide camouflage for real action elsewhere.

He said: “Private lines to private armies will not restore confidence – but rather undermine it further.”

He warned Prime Minister Tony Blair the Agreement was “not his to barter”.

Mr Blair did not vote for it, nor did his cabinet.

“It was the people of Ireland, north and south, nationalist and unionist who voted for it.

“It is they who own it. Their democratic Agreement must not be sold off in concessions to paramilitaries or diluted at the demand of intransigent parties.”