SPEAKING after his first official meeting at Parliament Buildings this afternoon with the new Irish Minister for Foreign Affairs, Dermot Ahern, Alliance Leader David Ford MLA stated:
“This was a useful meeting in which Alliance explored the need for detailed reforms to the Agreement with the new minister. We welcome his approach to Northern Ireland, which is right now focussed on the resolution of the current difficulties.
“I impressed upon the minister the need to reform the Agreement in line with its fundamental principles, and how we could improve the political working relationships between the Republic and Northern Ireland.
“Alliance also raised the issue of the ‘Disappeared’ with Mr Ahern, as it is unlikely that this tragic matter will ever be fully resolved without the close involvement of the Irish Government.
“We have promised to raise this issue at the highest levels of government, and believe that their influence at this time could move matters forward significantly.”