Stormont talks - An historic opportunity for change
Both leaders will hold talks today at Stormont, and its symbolism will not be lost on the leaders of the main political parties there who head to Scotland in two days’ time for discussions, hopefully, to restore devolution.
Because of the juncture at which the North stands, the meeting of Archbishop Brady and Mr Paisley is not important just symbolically, but politically.
It is a leap of faith which could potentially help bridge the gaps that exist between the churches and between nationalism and unionism.
Today’s meeting will send a powerful message to politicians on both sides in advance of the Scottish talks which represent an opportunity to arrive at circumstances which will facilitate the observance of the November 24 deadline to resume power-sharing.
The churchmen are intimating that the breach between them may be waning, and given the virulent anti-Catholic stance that Mr Paisley has exhibited for decades, it is truly historic.
Such apparent embracing of opposite views for the common good may be reflected politically later this week at St Andrews when the political parties meet.
What will be at stake is the restoration of the power-sharing government on the November 24 deadline which has been imposed by the Irish and British governments.
Minds will be concentrated on a number of facts to encourage a deal to be done to bring life back to the institutions which have been suspended for four years.
If that deadline passes without progress, then direct rule from London with an Irish Government input will happen.
The recent Independent Monitoring Commission (IMC) report effectively said the IRA has gone away and that the Provisional IRA is committed to politics and ordered its members to forsake criminality.
Importantly, Tony Blair is relinquishing his role as British Prime Minister and there is no guarantee that his expected successor Gordon Brown will invest so much time and effort to the resolution of the Northern problem.
Mr Blair has been a vital element in the progress that has been made to date, as has been Taoiseach Bertie Ahern, but his future is less predictable than his British counterpart, although both men will attend the Scottish talks.
In a few short months, Mr Ahern will face a General Election which will decide if he will still be at the helm as Taoiseach or not.
More immediately, his concern will be for the status of his present government and today he will have another crisis meeting with the Tánaiste and leader of the Progressive Democrats, Michael McDowell.
On Saturday, they failed to resolve their differences over the possible implications of loans and gifts to Mr Ahern.
The PDs have, seemingly, further concerns that need to be allayed and in the interests of the country both parties should not let the resolution of the problem be protracted any longer.
The debate over the future of the Fianna Fáil-PDs coalition is now in its third week and it is about time it was resolved one way or the other.
CONNECT WITH US TODAY
Be the first to know the latest news and updates
