Mallon outlines his position over agreement on North-South bodies

The full statement issued by the Deputy First Minister, Mr Seamus Mallon, stated:

The full statement issued by the Deputy First Minister, Mr Seamus Mallon, stated:

The implementation of the Agreement is vital for the future of our society. There has been an impasse in recent months, as you all know.

I have done everything I can in recent months to advance the Agreement.

Tony Blair spent last night with all concerned in an effort to break the log-jam. It was an intervention I very much appreciated.

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For my part I reached agreement with the Prime Minister on the following points: on North/South implementation bodies there will be a trade and business development body; a tourism body; a strategic transport body; an EU programmes body. There will be 10 Departments with a stand-alone Department of Finance and Personnel.

As far as I am concerned my negotiations with the Prime Minister and through him, with the other parties, have been completed on this basis.

That is the deal that has been done and I stand by it.

It is now for the other parties to confirm their participation in the agreement brokered by the Prime Minister.