Alliance Leader welcomes Sinn Fein move but more work is required

10.52.38am GMT Mon 29th Jan 2007

Alliance Leader David Ford

Alliance Leader David Ford has called on the DUP and Sinn Fein to do what is required to ensure devolution can return to Northern Ireland on 26 March. He said that both the DUP and Sinn Fein remain conditional in their attitudes to progress.

David Ford said: "Yesterday's decision by Sinn Fein's Ard Fheis marks a real opportunity for progress in Northern Ireland.

"This long overdue change in Sinn Fein policy is another significant forward step on the road to devolution. What we really need is stable and genuine powersharing and more is required from both the DUP and Sinn Fein to secure this. It is time they both ended their conditions and got on with the job.

"The DUP must pledge to share power with Sinn Fein and they must start talking to Sinn Fein representatives face to face.

"Sinn Fein must now demonstrate their support for policing by working on the ground with police to help them combat crime. This entails Sinn Fein representatives encouraging people to contact police if they have information on incidents, as well as joining the policing structures."

ENDS