Rebuilding the Peace Process must begin now

Before he left for the US on Saturday, Gerry Adams said that genuine dialogue between the parties and the two governments is the way out of the crisis in the Peace Process.

"My message in the United States is very clear," said Adams. "I will be asking those who have supported the Peace Process, and Sinn Féin's role in it, to continue that support so that the task of rebuilding the Peace Process can begin.

"For more than a decade now, Irish America has played a valuable role in the Peace Process. When opponents of change were lined up against progress, they intervened in the interests of peace. Next week, I will be asking them to do so again. I will be speaking directly to those who have supported the Peace Process and Sinn Féin's role in it. I will be briefing them on the grave difficulties that the process faces at this time and also outlining the contribution that republicans are willing to make to get the process back on track.

"The Peace Process is the only way forward but we have to be realistic. The only aspect of the process which currently exists is the IRA cessation. There are no political institutions, no dialogue, no plans to implement the outstanding aspects of the Agreement.

"If we are to move out of this deepening crisis, then the starting point has to be genuine dialogue between the parties and the two governments. That is the message that I will be bringing to the US."