British prime minister David Cameron today warned dissident republican terrorists that his government's commitment to Northern Ireland and the peace process was absolute.
On his first visit to Belfast since taking office, the Conservative leader pledged his full support to Democratic Unionist First Minister Peter Robinson and Sinn Féin Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness and their efforts to lead the region's power-sharing administration.
"Let me say this to those people who still want to wreck progress and peace in Northern Ireland, that taking part in terror will not achieve anything apart from misery," he said after meeting the ministers in Stormont Castle.
"Our commitment to Northern Ireland, our commitment to the devolved institutions, is absolute," he said. "Terrorism, acts of violence, acts of terrorism achieve nothing except misery, we are committed to the peaceful progress - such big steps have been taken over these last 13 to 15 years - we want that to continue.
"That is the future for Northern Ireland, that's what my government wants, that's what the Deputy First Minister and First Minister want so badly and that's what we are all together committed to achieve."
Mr Cameron was accompanied on his visit to Northern Ireland by new secretary of state Owen Paterson.
Taoiseach Brian Cowen revealed today he has been invited to Downing Street by Mr Cameron for talks. A Government spokesman said no time or date had been fixed for the meeting.
Speaking in Dublin today, Mr Cowen said Mr Cameron's visit was a "a clear testament" to his commitment to the peace process. "I had the opportunity to speak with the prime minister on his first full day in office and we reaffirmed our joint commitment to the peace process and to the agreements that have helped us make so much progress in Northern Ireland and in British-Irish relations," Mr Cowen said.
"I know that he is very committed to continuing the work of his predecessors. His visit to Northern Ireland today is a clear testament to that commitment and I look forward to working with him in that shared endeavour."
After the 45-minute meeting with Mr McGuinness and Mr Robinson, Mr Cameron and Mr Paterson went on to meet the leaders of the UUP, the SDLP and the Alliance Party.