Madam, – Last week the people of Northern Ireland made a powerful and silent show of strength.
The First Minister and Deputy First Minister are now in the United States, showing a united front. They have our unconditional support as they speak for the new North and reject our pointless past.
When they return, the Executive must get back to work and demonstrate that politics can make a difference. Here are five issues which, if addressed, would really provide a legacy for those who died and a new beginning for us all:
1. Justice for all: Those who killed the two soldiers and the policeman came from republican communities, as did the killers of Paul Quinn and Robert McCartney. Like the Omagh bombers, they are known to people who in the past were involved in similar actions as members of the Provisional IRA, the paramilitary arm of Sinn Féin. If we are to really move on, we must all fully embrace the concept of justice for all and political leaders must unconditionally support the police investigation.
2. A shared future: For three years Sinn Féin and the DUP have been unable to progress a meaningful community relations policy for Northern Ireland. Now is the time to redouble efforts and make a shared future a priority in government.
3. Devolution of justice and policing. We need to agree a date and get this important piece of the peace process jigsaw in place.
4. Truth and victims: It is time to give the thousands who are victims of our terrible past the truth about their loss. There can be no hierarchy of victims and no hierarchy of murder. What was wrong this week was wrong in 1972, 1985 and 1994. A proper truth and victims strategy must emerge if we are to move on.
5. A Bill of Rights: The people voted for a strong and inclusive Bill of Rights when they said Yes to the Good Friday Agreement. Eleven years on we now have advice from the Human Rights Commission. A strong Bill of Rights is a declaration of faith between us all. It is about people, not politics. The vast majority of the people of the North support a Bill of Rights. Let’s hope the political parties will too. – Yours, etc,