Chance for power-sharing must not be missed: Blair and Ahern

Election 2007

Friday, March 09, 2007

By Noel McAdam

British and Irish premiers Tony Blair and Bertie Ahern today insisted the chance to achieve a power-sharing Executive "must not be missed".

The clear message from the people of the province had been that they want to move on to build a better future together, a joint statement from the two men stressed.

"Restoration of the devolved institutions represents an opportunity of historic proportions. It must not be missed," they added.

The message came as Secretary of State Peter Hain sent letters to Northern Ireland's newly-elected MLAs and party leaders, warning: "Either Stormont will work or it will close down."

As vote counting continued at five centres across the province, Mr Hain was due to meet Ian Paisley and Gerry Adams as the hard bargaining on a final devolution deal began.

The DUP leader and Sinn Fein president, whose parties have so far dominated the election results, were involved in separate meetings at Hillsborough Castle.

But with tight fights expected in a number of constituencies for the final seats, the complete shape of the new Assembly was not expected to emerge until later this afternoon.

As counting resumed in Antrim, Ards, Banbridge, Londonderry and Omagh around 9am, the DUP were on a total of 25 seats and Sinn Fein on 24 with further gains.

Despite a vote slump of 7.7%, Ulster Unionist leader Sir Reg Empey was facing no immediate calls for his resignation with the party on nine seats.

The SDLP had 10 seats, Alliance three and Dawn Purvis retained the Progressive Unionists' seat held by the late David Ervine in East Belfast.

Mr Hain wasted no time today in reiterating his insistence that Monday, March 26, just over a fortnight away, will mean "devolution or dissolution".

The Secretary of State said the clear message from the electorate in Wednesday's election was that they want a power-sharing Executive established by the deadline.

Mr Hain's letters were expected to emphasise he does not have any scope for " weasel words" or "fudges" or discretion over the March 26 date.

Speaking on BBC Radio Ulster today, he said the parties which had opposed a devolution deal had been "swept aside", but if agreement could not be reached he was "quite happy" to go on governing Northern Ireland.

DUP deputy leader Peter Robinson agreed that the clear message from the electorate was that they want local politicians to be in charge "but they also want us to get it right".

"I hope the Government, if they are in a hurry for March 26, will deliver the (economic) package and Sinn Fein will stop draggings its feet," he said.

Sinn Fein MP Michelle Gildernew said the arrest outside Omagh counting centre of independent republican candidate Gerry McGeough was the type of political policing her party is determined to end.