David Trimble, To seek re-election as First Minister
The Taoiseach has welcomed today's decision by the Ulster Unionist Party Executive to support David Trimble's return to office as First Minister. Bertie Ahern congratulated Mr Trimble on the "emphatic nature" of the mandate he had received.
Mr Ahern said that Mr Trimble had worked hard for such a mandate and he richly deserved it. The Taoiseach also wished Mr Trimble every success in the election, which must take place in the Assembly.
The Taoiseach said that today's decision demonstrated that there was a strong wish on all sides of the community to move forward in a renewed spirit of partnership and to see the institutions established under the Good Friday Agreement fully back in business as soon as possible.
It is understood that Mr Trimble won the support of around 80% of the delegates. The 110-strong party executive passed a motion, calling for all 28 Ulster Unionist Assembly-members to support Mr Trimble's reinstatement at a crucial vote next week.
Speaking after the meeting, Mr Trimble said that he hopes to get significant support when the Assembly meets. Welcoming the Ulster Unionist move, the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, John O'Donoghue, said that the party was "simply seeing sense".
Speaking to RTÉ News earlier, the former MP, Ken Maginnis, said that he was satisfied with the day's work and added there was a lot of common sense talked at the meeting.
However, the Ulster Unionist Assembly member, Pauline Armitage, indicated that she is not ready to accept the IRA's move on decommissioning as sufficient.
In a BBC radio interview, she said that Mr Trimble had told her there was no programme for the continuation of decommissioning. Ms Armitage said that she did not have faith or confidence in the word of Sinn Féin.
Meanwhile the SDLP leader, John Hume, has criticised dissident Republican groups who are continuing their opposition to the Good Friday Agreement.
Yesterday, the Continuity IRA, issued a statement saying it would maintain its fight against, what it called, British colonial rule. Speaking on the Late Late Show last night, Mr Hume said that dissident groups were opposing the will of the Irish people.
