Challenges and Opportunities

5.19.12pm BST (GMT +0100) Fri 13th Oct 2006

Alliance Leader, David Ford

Talks offer sense of hope - Alliance

Alliance Party Leader David Ford has said the outcome of the St Andrews talks is a mix of challenges and opportunities for all the parties, and that the political process can now proceed with a sense of hope.

Commenting on the discussions in Scotland, David Ford stated: "The process has been challenging so far, and will be challenging over the next few weeks for all the parties.

"But with these challenges come opportunities. If we use these opportunities, today will prove to have been a major step forward on the road to restoring the institutions.

"We now face not a leap into the unknown, but a series of steps. We will play our part in the Preparation for Government Committee and elsewhere to widen the sense of agreement.

"Despite all that remains to be done, there is now at least a sense of hope for a shared future."

ENDS