REACTION:THE APPOINTMENT of Alliance Party leader David Ford as the North's new Minister for Justice is "a key milestone in the journey of partnership government in Northern Ireland and in realising the vision of the Good Friday Agreement", President Mary McAleese said yesterday.
The President added that she wished Mr Ford “every success”.
“I commend all those whose leadership enabled today’s landmark development and I wish them well as they continue to work collectively to successfully address the challenges ahead.”
Taoiseach Brian Cowen said in a statement last night that the Government looked forward to working with Mr Ford “on the challenges that lie ahead”.
“For the first time in 40 years policing and justice powers are being exercised with cross-community support on behalf of the people of Northern Ireland by their own elected representatives,” Mr Cowen said.
“Earlier today we had further evidence that small dissident groups will try to disrupt the democratic process. It must be plain to them that they will not succeed.
“Both administrations, North and South, and the gardaí and the PSNI will continue to work closely together to bring these criminals to justice,” the Taoiseach said.
Labour Party leader Eamon Gilmore also congratulated Mr Ford on his appointment, saying it was “a hugely significant development that will hopefully mark another milestone in progress towards the normalisation of politics in Northern Ireland”.
Fine Gael spokesman for North-South Co-operation, Joe McHugh TD, said the appointment was “a victory for all architects of the Northern peace process”.
He added: “The new Minister for Justice must lead a new departure in the Good Friday process.
“The PSNI and An Garda Síochána must now further increase policing co-operation in a way that is meaningful to the people of this island.”
He said yesterday’s bombing of a British army barracks in Holywood, Co Down, was “a reminder that dissident republicanism cannot be allowed to gain a foothold”.
Chairman of the Oireachtas Joint Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement Noel Treacy TD said the bombing was “an attempt by people with no mandate and no support to return Northern Ireland to its dark, violent past”.