Peace process - Opportunity must not be missed

DESPITE facing steadily mounting criticism on a broad political front, both the Taoiseach and the British Prime Minister will derive satisfaction from the latest American salute to their role in advancing the Northern peace process.

It would be churlish to gainsay the importance of their deeply personal in-put to developing the Good Friday Agreement. It is fitting, therefore, that Bertie Ahern and British Prime Minister Tony Blair have gained the recognition of the University of Connecticut’s Thomas J Dodd Prize in International Justice and Human Rights.

Mr Ahern is right to emphasise that the best way of getting the North’s devolved institutions up and running again is to hold the postponed assembly elections later this year.

It now behoves Mr Blair to heed that advice.

In what can only be described as a sea change of attitudes in the North, Sinn Féin’s Gerry Adams and Unionist leader David Trimble are making conciliatory gestures.

Any opportunity to put democracy back on the rails should not be missed.