After five days of talking, the Taoiseach and the British Prime Minister have presented proposals aimed at breaking the deadlock in the talks on decommissioning and the formation of a power-sharing executive at Stormont. These have been put to the Assembly parties who have been asked to take them away and study them. Devolution and the triggering of the d'Hondt process will begin immediately. The process of decommissioning will begin within days; within weeks, actual decommissioning will occur; and all paramilitary weapons will be decommissioned by May 2000. If any part of the process breaks down then provision has been made for an absolute failsafe.
The proposals were presented on the steps of Castle Buildings at Stormont shortly before eight o'clock tonight. Tony Blair said that they offer, at last, after decades of violence and conflict and injustice, the chance for peace and for democracy and for equality for all. Mr. Blair paid tribute to the contribution made by Bertie Ahern to the negiations. Presenting the proposals, the Taoiseach said, "The Rubicon has been crossed." He said that the people of Northern Ireland could face the future with a sense of security.
The leader of the Ulster Unionist Party, David Trimble, said that Sinn Féin had not yet offered commitments that would be recognised by Unionists. He said that their position paper is still aspirational. The Sinn Féin President, Gerry Adams, said that there would be an enormous sigh of relief, not just in Ireland, but throughout the world. He said that he hoped the depth of distrust between the communities would now begin to be bridged. He added that all sides had a mighty job to do. President Clinton has welcomed the Governments' proposals and appealed to the North's political leadership not to let this fall apart. He said that there were clear guarantees to back up the promises made.
The D'Hondt procedure nominating ministers to a power sharing executive will take place on 15 July, the devolution order for the transfer of powers will be moved two to three days later. It is envisaged that the process of decommissioning, under the supervision of John de Chastelain will then start after a period to be specified by the general. It is thought this will happen less than a fortnight after devolution. Then, following consultations with those holding weapons, the first act of decommissioning will take place within a short time.
The system of government to be established will be subject to review which could involve the suspensions of institutions like the Assembly if the provisions of the deal are not met. It is understood that a review could follow any block in the devolution process as well as any failure to comply with the decommissioning timetable. The package is to be put to the parties at Stormont in a round table meeting to be convened within the hour.
