News from The Labour Party

Shaun Woodward MP: “We will not walk away from the people of Northern Ireland”

This is the full text of the speech to the Labour conference today by Shaun Woodward MP, Secretary of State for Northern Ireland:

Conference, There are many achievements of which this Labour Government can be very proud.

Ranking very high, must be your determination to bring peace to Northern Ireland.

A goal eluding many before.

Ceasefires come and gone.

Agreements and Declarations signed. Peace eluded.

An impossible dream.

But perseverance, determination and the strongest of leadership prevailed.

In 1998 the Belfast Agreement signed.

The historic moment. Celebrated round the world. Real peace for Northern Ireland.

Agreements are foundations.

They provide footings on which we build.

On those foundations we create our home.

St Andrews Agreement secured that home.

Crucially the DUP now part of those negotiations.

Part of the stability created between the British and Irish Governments.

A new Assembly.

A new Executive.

Shared power between the DUP and Sinn Fein.

People in Northern Ireland taking control of their destiny.

Yet not complete.

The agreement to transfer policing and justice powers not resolved.

A process begun. Not brought to an end.

Conference, I do not underestimate, the significance or need for this last remaining part of the jigsaw, to be put in place.

On Tuesday the Prime Minister made clear his continuing commitment to seeing this business done.

Neither the Prime Minister nor I take for granted the work to be done.

The steps for some, may seem small.

For others, are still great.

Indeed, precisely because we recognize the nature of the “ask”, rightly the Prime Minister has doubly committed to see the business through.

Through fairly.

Reflecting the needs of everyone in Northern Ireland.

We know that for some this is about finance.

To feel sure the Justice Department has resources to meet challenges which must be faced, and those inescapable demands – a legacy of the Troubles.

For some, a concern for resources to meet extraordinary demands arising from cowardly attack.

For, however small in number these criminals may be, the deadly threat a relatively small number, self styling themselves dissidents, still pose.

And Conference, nothing made this more tragically clear, than the brutal murders of two brave young soldiers, Patrick Azimkar and Mark Quinsey at the Massereene Barracks in March of this year.

And Constable Stevie Carroll, the first police officer to be murdered in Northern Ireland in ten years.

For their bravery and for their families Conference let us never forget what they gave, to ensure the peace.

And let me say to all the communities of Northern Ireland, we will not leave your outstanding and brave PSNI, without the capacity to meet this criminal challenge.

We proved this when we met the needs of the police immediately after these attacks.

And we will do so again, if extraordinary need should demand.

We will not walk away from the people of Northern Ireland.

This Labour Government will both recognize their rights.

And we will honour our responsibilities.

For some this is about specific issues relating to the past.

For others, about whether it is the right to march.

Or the right to protest peacefully.

These rights and responsibilities will be fully respected. In a climate of mutual trust. And tolerance of different traditions.

Conference, let us be in no doubt, the achievement has been great.

But the final task remains vital.

It is a task at hand.

No-one can afford to take any part of this achievement for granted.

And whilst I know in my heart, every politician in Northern Ireland will work to secure the peace and the politics, now is the time to demonstrate again that resolve.

To make that “ask”.

For this last part of the jigsaw is not just about what each may win.

But about what each can give.

For there is much at stake.

And this last part of the process, is also about a choice.

A choice not without consequence.

If the road we take, that road not yet travelled, is the right one, then the prize too is great.

Last week Conference, President Clinton hosted a meeting in New York on future investment, future jobs in Northern Ireland.

Rightly he brought together the First and Deputy First Ministers, as well as myself and the Irish Foreign Minister to address a huge audience of American CEOs and business leaders.

Conference, never forget there are 42 million Irish Americans who want to invest in the shared future of Northern Ireland.

America wants to put its money where their hearts truly rest.

To create jobs.

Opportunity for those with whom they have the deepest and strongest ties.

Conference, let me thank President Clinton and Secretary of State Clinton for their unstinting support for the people and the work of politicians of Northern Ireland.

And be in no doubt, this commitment is shared by President Obama himself.

America has given the strongest backing to the Prime Minister, as he works to close differences between the Parties.

The new Economic Northern Ireland Envoy, Declan Kelly stands ready to help bring those jobs to Northern Ireland.

And the cue on which he waits, is the stability won in the Agreements.

Put into practice by this Executive.

And which, on completing agreement to transfer policing and justice powers, can follow.

For this is the signal of enduring stability.

A critical last step.

A move – which in seeking the confidence of the communities of Northern Ireland, also sends a signal of confidence to the world.

Not just a signal between the Irish and British Governments – although it is such a beacon.

But a signal between the Parties of Northern Ireland.

An agreement made in Belfast.

Not on the Parties.

But by the Parties. Between the Parties.

Conference, we are in the last part of the journey.

The final remaining bridge to cross.

It is my abiding optimism, and of the Prime Minister, this challenge not only can, but will be met.

And Conference, in being bridged, this truly will give Northern Ireland the peace, the security.

And the prosperity and jobs, people so rightly deserve.

Let the impossible dream, now be, the lasting reality.

Thank you.

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