Welcoming the
announcement the two governments intend recommencing talks with al of the
parties in early February North Antrim MLA, Seán Farren said:
“The SDLP welcomes
the announcement of talks in February. We will be participating fully in them
and working constructively to get the Good Friday Agreement up and running. We
don’t want these talks to involve a further tour of stately homes in Britain.
We should be able to make progress working here in the North.
“But it is not enough for the Secretary of State to name a date for talks. We
want the British Government to name a date for restoration. We have to put all
parties on a firm countdown to restoration of all the institutions of the Good
Friday Agreement and call the bluff of those standing in the way of progress.”
”Only when parties realise that they have to face choices will hard decisions
be made. The key choice is whether we will have our political institutions, the
Assembly and the North-South Council etc., working again or we have to face an
indefinite period of direct rule.
“The choice must be
for local politicians to make decisions affecting the daily lives of people in
Northern Ireland. Direct rule is not good for our economy. It is not good for
community relations and it is not good for our social services, education and
health above all. That’s why we must break the present impasse and restore the
Assembly as soon as possible.
Welcoming the
withdrawal of the NI (Offences) Bill, Mr Farren added:
“I absolutely welcome the withdrawal of this legislation. But I want to be
reassured, however, that it will not be recycled in any way. We want to know
that it has been abandoned, not just parked until a later date.
“The SDLP wants to leave the past behind on a moral basis. This legislation did
not do that. Instead, it was built on a moral vacuum and allowed the truth to
be covered up. Our collective task now must be to find an agreed way of leaving
the past behind. One that takes account of the rights of victims. One that
allows for truth, recognition and remembrance.”