Devolution - people are losing patience, warns Durkan

Northern Ireland politicians will be engaged in a hectic series of meetings today, aimed at finding a formula for restoring devolution as nationalist SDLP leader Mark Durkan called on them to implement the Good Friday Agreement.

Mr Durkan, who was due to meet Northern Ireland Secretary Paul Murphy and Taoiseach Bertie Ahern today, warned parties that the public’s patience was wearing thin.

He said in a speech in Derry last night: “People are losing faith, getting fed up waiting for politicians to get their act together.

“While support for the promise of the Good Friday Agreement remains high, confidence that the parties and the governments are capable of realising that promise continues to dissipate.

“I share completely in the sense of frustration that much greater progress has not been made to date.

“In the days and weeks ahead, we must finally turn the corner from appreciating the promise of the agreement to underwriting its potential. Instead of arguing about what needs to be done to fulfil the democratic will of the people, we must all get on with doing it.”

British and Irish government officials have been working around the clock with the North's politicians to achieve a breakthrough in the run up to next week’s talks featuring Mr Ahern and Tony Blair.

While Ulster Unionists have insisted that there is only one item of concern to them – a declaration from the IRA that it is ending all paramilitary activity and emptying its arms dumps – the other parties have been working on proposals covering policing, criminal justice reform, the scaling down of Army installations and operations, equality, human rights, the Irish language and the issue of terrorist suspects who have been on the run.

It is believed Irish and British officials have been considering radical moves on demilitarisation, the introduction of more criminal justice reform legislation and the devolution of policing and justice powers to a power-sharing government at Stormont.

Nationalists, however, are also anxious that the governments guarantee the stability of the political institutions, having seen the Assembly and power-sharing executive suspended four times in the past five years.

With Ulster Unionists insisting they will not take part in round-table discussions aimed at implementing outstanding aspects of the agreement, some talks participants are concerned that they may not be able to reach a deal which all parties can endorse.

It is believed sweeping demilitarisation moves and a scheme which will enable exiled paramilitaries to return to Northern Ireland without being imprisoned could be too difficult for pro-Good Friday Agreement unionists to sell to their community.

As Gerry Adams held secret talks in London with the British government, the loyalist Progressive Unionist Party also travelled to London.

PUP leader David Ervine said afterwards March 3 remained the target date for a deal but he added that it must not be one sided.

“From each other side’s point of view there will have to be pain,” the East Belfast MLA argued.

“We can expect pain. The question is will that pain be spread?”