Comments by the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr David Andrews TD.
Comments by the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr David Andrews TD.
The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr David Andrews, T.D. has spent much of his first day in office as Foreign Minister briefing himself on the current state of play within the Talks process. During the day, he consulted with his predecessor, Ray Burke, who, he said "has been most helpful to me". The Minister also telephoned Secretary of State Mowlam and said that he looked forward to meeting her, along with the International Chairmen and the delegation leaders, when he attends his first meeting of Strand 2 on Tuesday next.
The Minister said that he was "taking over as leader of the Irish delegation to the Talks at a particularly opportune time. We have just had the opening of negotiations earlier in the week. This means that the real business of the Talks, the search for an agreement in the three Strands, is just getting underway. We have set ourselves a demanding but realisable time frame for advancing the negotiations. I am wholly committed to doing my utmost to ensure that the political process delivers the settlement that all of our people so fervently desire. It is a challenge and a privilege to be involved in this process at a time of such hope and promise in Northern Ireland. While in no way minimising the difficulties ahead, I remain confident that we can succeed and I am determined that we shall do so".
