The new Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr Andrews, has said he does not believe there will be a united Ireland in his lifetime. Speaking on BBC Radio Ulster yesterday, Mr Andrews (62) refused to say when he felt there would be a united Ireland. "I'm not in the crystal ball-gazing business," he said. "My party aspirationally seeks a united Ireland, but I would imagine in my lifetime . . . that won't be achievable."
The Minister described himself as "the new boy on the block" regarding Northern Ireland. Although he has spoken by telephone to the Northern Secretary, Dr Mo Mowlam, he has not yet met the talks chairman, Mr George Mitchell.
Mr Andrews will attend all-party negotiations, which resume at Stormont Castle in Belfast on Tuesday. He said the negotiations must lead to political change.
"If there are not changes at the end of these talks, then I think we might as well leave the talks at this stage. To reach those changes is going to be complex and difficult."