A leading Northern businessman has urged all politicians to ensure that rapid political progress follows the renewed IRA ceasefire. Mr Bill Tosh, chairman of the Confederation of British Industry in Northern Ireland, said that it was "incumbent upon us all to deal with the opportunity that has been created".
Mr Tosh said it was his understanding that the time-frame of 10 months had been set to evaluate the bona fides of all participants. "This talks progress will tease out who is committed to democracy and who is not committed to democracy. Surely that is what the two governments have indicated", he said.
The CBI chairman said that he particularly welcomed the timeframe, because there had been no real political progress during the previous IRA ceasefire.
Mr Tosh also said he would "expect corporate America to do more than posture politically". He continued: "We must see that the American administration and corporate America put Northern Ireland on their opportunity map. We cannot ask for handouts, but we can ask that they give us full consideration for any European investments."
The level of subvention to the North from the British exchequer should be maintained for at least a three-year period, he said. This commitment had been given by the former prime minister, Mr John Major, and he would be asking the Labour government to honour it.