The British government will pick up efforts to restore devolution by holding talks with the Northern Ireland parties after this week's Assembly election, it revealed today.
Northern Ireland Secretary Paul Murphy said in a television interviewthat he would try to rebuild trust between the parties in talks after Wednesday's poll.He told Sky News' Sunday with Adam Boultonprogramme: "I am very anxious we do have devolution back.
"What unites all the parties of Northern Ireland is that they do want devolution.
"They like to govern themselves. They like local ministers who are accountable to people in Northern Ireland unlike ourselves in Westminster who do not have seats in Northern Ireland.
"Of course, we have to re-establish trust and confidence between the parties of Northern Ireland. That's what led to the suspension of the Assembly just over a year ago and that has to be re-established.
"Doubtless after the election there will continue to be talks to re-establish that trust. In addition, of course, under the terms of the Agreement, there has to be a review of the Agreement and that will start before Christmas too."
Mr Murphy today also appealed to voters not to stay at home this Wednesday and to fully use their franchise.
During the election campaign, the Reverend Ian Paisley's Democratic Unionists have claimed there will have to be a new political settlement in Northern Ireland if they emerge the largest party in the Assembly.
The DUP is engaged in an intense battle with Mr David Trimble's Ulster Unionists to emerge the largest unionist party at Stormont.
Sinn Féin is also vying to be the largest nationalist party and is hoping to build on its lead in terms of the popular vote over Mr Mark Durkan's SDLP by translating that into more seats.