Review: Alliance meets two governments to discuss Agreement proposals

12.00.00am GMT Tue 10th Feb 2004

Speaking after a meeting between an Alliance Party delegation, British Secretary of State Paul Murphy MP and Irish Minister of State Tom Kitt TD at Parliament Buildings today, Alliance General Secretary Dr Stephen Farry stated:

"Alliance had a very constructive meeting with the two governments focusing on our 'Agenda for Democracy' - our proposals for the Review of the Agreement. We were pleased at the level of interest shown in the detail of some of our submissions.

"However, the principle problem to restoring devolution lies with the absence of trust between parties and the structures in Strand One. Alliance has yet to see evidence of a clear vision and strategy on the part of the two governments as to how our devolved institutions can be restored.

"There is not yet a clear focus to the discussions in the Review and Alliance would urge the governments to consider how this can be done before the talks resume on February 23."