Mallon appeal over peace process

Spotlight is on the future of the NI assembly

The Northern Ireland deputy first minister has urged republicans and unionists to make commitments to the peace process to save it from further crisis.

Speaking at the SDLP's annual conference in Newcastle, County Down on Friday, Seamus Mallon made a direct appeal to both sides.

In a speech, Mr Mallon said the Ulster Unionist Party was "running risks" with the Good Friday Agreement by banning Sinn Fein from North South Ministerial Council meetings with the Irish Government.

The Newry and Armagh MP said: "No-one can hide from this crisis.

Seamus Mallon: Speaking at party's annual conference

"Sinn Fein cannot pretend there is not a problem caused by the failure of the IRA to re-engage with the de Chastelain Commission.

"The UUP cannot dismiss the body blow they have struck to the institutions.

"The two governments - by far the most important players and the guarantors of the deal done at Hillsborough last May - cannot expect the executive and its parties to singlehandedly bear and somehow resolve the burden of the present impasse.

"Nevertheless let me make a proposal. At Hillsborough, there was a commitment by the IRA to re-engage with the de Chastelain Commission. That re-engagement should take place now.

Legal challenge

"For their part, the UUP should make a commitment to stop disrupting the institutions established by the agreement."

The move to ban Sinn Fein ministers from North-South Ministerial Council meetings was put forward by Ulster Unionist leader and First Minister David Trimble, and ratified by the party's ruling council.

It was one of a number of measures aimed at forcing the IRA to "significantly re-engage" with the body set up to oversee decommissioning.

On Thursday, Sinn Fein health minister Bairbre de Brun began her legal challenge to her party's ban on attending cross-border meetings.

Ms de Brun is seeking a judicial review of the first minister's sanctions and a preliminary hearing is expected early next week.