The Northern Secretary has set out the procedures intended to lead to a devolved government in the North within the next fortnight. In a speech at Newcastle in County Down, Peter Mandelson said that he would begin by asking the Northern Assembly to choose an executive on 29 November. That is two days after the Ulster Unionist Party's ruling council votes on whether or not to approve the agreement on devolution already accepted by its leader, David Trimble.
Once ministers have been elected the Devolution Order will be laid before Parliament at Westminster the next day, and devolution will take place two days later. Mr Mandelson praised the North's politicians for their efforts to reach a deal, but he singled out Mr Trimble and Gerry Adams for special mention.
It is envisaged that devolution will take place on the 2 December, enabling the process of arms decommissioning to begin at the same time. Mr Mandelson gave the details in a speech at the annual conference of the Women's Coalition in Newcastle, County Down. The Ulster Unionist security spokesman, Ken Maginnis, welcomed Mr Mandelson's announcement and said that he looked forward to the benefits of devolution.
The Government here has welcomed the report by Senator George Mitchell on the implementation of the Good Friday agreement. In a statement this morning, the Government said that it would take the necessary steps to bring the British-Irish agreement into force on 2 December, the day devolution comes into effect. The British/Irish Agreement represents the so-called East-West axis of the new set of institutions.
Under this agreement, a North/South ministerial council will meet to consider co-operation and development in matters of mutual interest to both parts of the island. A range of areas for co-operation has already been agreed. The first meeting of the council will take place shortly after devolution.
