‘Completion of north/south review must take place by December 2015’ – Rogers
SDLP MLA for South Down Seán Rogers is expected to call for the completion of the north/south review by December 2015 in line with the Good Friday Agreement during a debate when the Body meets this week.
“This is the 15th anniversary of the signing of the Good Friday Agreement and I am pleased that the British Irish Parliamentary Body will take the opportunity to reaffirm its support for the agreement.
“However, we have seen in recent times the delays and failures of the DUP and Sinn Féin in government and their inability or unwillingness to fully implement the detail of the Agreement which was after all endorsed by the electorate north and south.
“It seems incredible that the north/south review has now been on-going for seven years and it is surely now imperative that the Office of the First and deputy First Minister commit to its completion by December 2015.
“I will also be asking all parties to provide reassurances that they will commit fully to the Haass/O’Sullivan talks. Events over the summer have soured the political process so it is essential that everyone party to those talks participates openly and move beyond the narrow confines of party political self-interest to come to an agreement that benefits all of the people.
Rogers added, “The British Irish Parliamentary Body will also give us an opportunity to encourage the parties in Dublin and Westminster to also engage with the Haass/O’Sullivan talks process as the Dublin and London governments are guarantors of the Good Friday Agreement and should be actively using their good offices to secure a lasting agreement.”
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