SUBSTANTIAL advances towards peace and a political settlement in Northern Ireland have been made in the past 12 months, the Tanaiste, Mr Spring, told the UN General Assembly yesterday.
These advances had come "despite serious setbacks and despite the uncertainty and suspicion which still hamper the development of true reconciliation between the communities in Northern Ireland and the two main traditions which share the island of Ireland".
At the end of his address on behalf of the EU, Mr Spring said he wanted to inform the General Assembly of developments in Northern Ireland in the past year in his capacity as Minister for Foreign Affairs.
He said Sinn Fein had a potentially valuable and constructive role to play in contributing to a stable and far reaching settlement.
"But political dialogue is only sustainable and productive on the basis of the principles of democracy and non-violence," he said.
"That is why there must be an unequivocal restoration of the IRA ceasefire before Sinn Fein can enter the negotiations which would be enhanced by their presence, as they are by the continuing presence of the loyalist parties."
The present talks process was the "instrument for progress, if we can persuade all the parties to use it constructively," he said.
"That requires the easiest possible transition to substantive negotiations.
"We are working with the British government to persuade the representatives of the unionist community to embark on this step without delay.
He said the continuing support of the international community was "an invaluable asset". He expressed gratitude "for the generosity and support of all our many friends in this Assembly, in particular the governments of the United States and of our European partners.
"The wounds of conflict are still deep and unhealed. We can be under no illusions that the process of reconciliation and the crafting of agreement will be slow and painstaking. But we have continued to make progress on the journey, and are committed to continuing our quest."