Murphy welcomes Bush's ambassador Hass on 3-day visit

Northern Ireland Secretary Paul Murphy tonight expressed hope that the province’s politicians could overcome their differences and restore devolution.

As parties psyched themselves up for next week’s intense round of talks in the province involving the Prime Minister Tony Blair and Taoiseach Bertie Ahern, Mr Murphy welcomed the arrival of US President George W Bush’s advisor on Northern Ireland, Ambassador Richard Haass, on a three day visit to the British Isles.

Mr Haass met the Northern Ireland Secretary in London and was due to discuss recent developments in the peace process with Ulster Unionist leader David Trimble.

The US official has also pencilled in talks in Dublin tomorrow with the Foreign Minister Brian Cowen and Taoiseach Bertie Ahern covering the Iraq crisis as well as the peace process.

He will travel onto Belfast where he will meet on Wednesday pro Good Friday Agreement parties like Sinn Fein, the nationalist SDLP, the cross community Alliance Party and Women’s Coalition and the loyalist Progressive Unionists.

Mr Haass has also arranged meetings with the Rev Paisley’s Democratic Unionists and with community and voluntary groups.

Mr Murphy tonight paid to tribute to the US administration’s continued support for efforts to restore devolution in Northern Ireland.

After updating Ambassador Haass on the recent round of talks, he declared: "We are engaged in a process which aims to build trust and confidence among the political parties to restore devolved government as soon as possible.

"If we are to succeed, it will require participation from everyone and I particularly value the ongoing support of the American administration as we work to achieve this goal.

"Next week the Prime Minister and Taoiseach will be in Northern Ireland to meet with the political parties as we work to find a way to re-establish the devolved institutions.

" This will require much effort from all involved but I am confident that a way forward can be found.

"Everyone agrees that Northern Ireland is best governed through local Ministers making local decisions within the Assembly. The sooner we achieve this the better for the people of Northern Ireland."

Devolution in Northern Ireland was suspended last October amid allegations of ongoing IRA activity.