Reid urges compromise

Dr Reid said there was still "much to do" in Northern Ireland

The Northern Ireland Secretary, Dr John Reid, has said people must use the coming year to move away from conflict and towards resolving differences.

In his new year's message, Dr Reid said many seemingly impossible hurdles had already been overcome, but there was still much to do.

"In the coming year we now have to build on the foundations which have been laid," he said.

"Everyone in Northern Ireland will benefit from stable government and the devolved administration led by David Trimble and Mark Durkan represents by far the best opportunity for generations of achieving that.

David Trimble:"We will continue to address the challenges that face us"

"Devolution can work and the people of Northern Ireland want it to work.

"The local representatives who were elected to the assembly and those who sit in the executive must be given the chance to do the job that the people put them there to do," he added.

'Co-operation'

Meanwhile, the first and deputy first ministers say that health, education and the roads will be their priorities for the coming year.

In their new year's message, David Trimble and Mark Durkan said that while they believe the assembly has made a good start, a lot more still needs to be done to tackle the legacy of a generation of violence and disadvantage.

"We have demonstrated the ability to tackle crises such as foot-and-mouth and north Belfast," the statement said.

"The executive has announced plans for a cross border gas network, free nursing care and travel for the elderly, improved student support, investment in the roads network and were developing proposals for a children's commissioner.

"Recent positive meetings of the North South Ministerial Council and the British Irish Council provided a basis for co-operation for everyone's benefit.

"By working together with the community we will continue to address the many challenges that face us in 2002," they said.