Elezioni 2007

La notizia sull'Irish Independent

SF and DUP agree to restore power-sharing in six weeks

Sinn Fein and the DUP have reached a deal that will see the two parties finally sharing power at Stormont in six weeks' time.
The agreement was agreed during historic face-to-face talks this morning between Sinn Fein president Gerry Adams and DUP leader Ian Paisley.

The meeting was arranged after the DUP leadership rejected the British Government's deadline of this evening for the restoration of devolution.

However, the unionist party, which was facing a major rift in its ranks over the issue, promised that it would share power with republicans in May.

The British Government has already said it is happy to delay the restoration of devolution if the two parties reach a deal on the matter among themselves.

Speaking after today's meeting, Mr Adams said he was disappointed with the delay, but believed the DUP was genuinely committed to sharing power in six weeks.

Dr Paisley, meanwhile, said he believed "enormous opportunities" lie ahead for making a positive difference to people's lives and said the past should not be a barrier to creating a better future.

Both sides said regular meetings would continue in the coming weeks to draw up an agreed programme for government and confirmed that they had already agreed to ask the Northern Secretary not to issue any water-charge bills this week and to leave the matter for the local parties to resolve.