But ultimately, progress will only occur when there is sufficient trust and confidence between the actors, and the obvious will to make the necessary moves exists. Alliance believes that a formula based upon a series of sequenced steps is the best way to overcome the barriers, and to build up the required trust and confidence. Our suggestions form a coherent set of proposals as to how the deadlock could be broken. Substantial drift is entering into this suspension, and a political vacuum, with all the associated dangers, could emerge. I am concerned that some other parties seem prepared to play it long, and to try to build up their mandates at the next General Election.
Alliance has always put people first.
Ultimately, it is the job of the British and Irish Governments to take forward an initiative. Hopefully, our ideas are one possible template for the way forward. The pro-Agreement parties would collectively restate their commitment to the full implementation of the Good Friday Agreement. All the parties to the Agreement have renounced the use of violence. But the paramilitary groups currently on ceasefire have not produced a form of words to express their renunciation of the use of violence.