Church leaders hail talks with Blair

Ireland’s church leaders hailed today’s talks with British Prime Minister Tony Blair as “extremely positive”.

Speaking outside Downing Street after the breakfast meeting, all four representatives were upbeat about the discussions.

The talks were designed to cover issues of “matters of mutual concern”, including the peace process, sectarianism and the role of the church and religion in Northern Ireland and Europe.

Today’s delegation was made up of Church of Ireland primate Archbishop Robin Eames, his Roman Catholic counterpart Archbishop Sean Brady, Dr Russell Birney, of the Presbyterian Church of Ireland, and the Rev Winston Graham, leader of the Methodist Church in Ireland.

“Having been with other church leaders to various meetings of this nature, this one was extremely positive and one that was really worthwhile,” said Archbishop Eames.

“We have tried to emphasise – and the Prime Minister emphasised to us – that it is very easy to get the problems out of perspective and forget how far we have come in Northern Ireland.”

The Archbishop said the “extremely cordial” meeting had lasted more than an hour and the leaders were able to put their views to Mr Blair.

Archbishop Eames said the churches had “worked for years” for anti-sectarianism and Mr Graham agreed it was the role of the church to address the issue.

“We looked at a whole range of issues which no doubt will be given a lot of thought in the months ahead,” Archbishop Eames added.

Dr Birney also deemed the meeting positive and said the church leaders knew the Government was still working behind the scenes on the peace process.

“We are very aware that there is a lot of work going on that obviously we are not privy to,” he said.

All four denied claims that Mr Blair had taken Northern Ireland off his priority list.

Archbishop Sean Brady said, although the meeting had taken place against a background of international crises, the Prime Minster was very focused.

“There is no doubt that he is putting his best foot forward,” he added.