Methodist Minister 'would give consideration' to chairing talks at Stormont

By Maria McCann

A Methodist Minister who played a vital role in the peace process says he would give consideration to chairing talks at Stormont.

The Reverend Harold Good was named alongside Derry's City Centre Manager Jim Roddy, a successful parades negotiator on a list of four possible options put forward by the Green Party.

Several parties have called for an independent chair to replace the Secretary of State because of his stance on legacy Issues. 

Reverend Good says if he was asked, he would give it serious thought.

"Like every body else I'm very concerned about where we are particularly at this moment in time.

"It is nice to know that somebody somewhere might suggest there are those of us who might have a contribution to make in assisting parties to make an agreement.

"But this is a decision for others to make"

Harold Good played a vital role in the Northern Ireland peace process including overseeing decommissioning.

From 1973 to 1979 he was director of the Corrymeela Community Centre for Reconciliation and in 2001 he was appointed President of the Methodist Church in Ireland.

Other people put forward by the Green Party as a potential chair include Tom Arnold who has acted as a co-ordinator on behalf of the UN, worked as the Chief Executive of Concern Worldwide and the Irish Civil Service.

Joschka Fischer has also been included in the suggestions.

The former Foreign Minister of Germany is a Green politician and popular across the political spectrum, according to Steven Agnew.

Barbara Stevenson who is the Dean of the Leadership and Management School of the Foreign Service Institute in Arlington, Virginia has also been put forward as an option.

She is a former American diplomat who performed the role of American Consul General in Northern Ireland from 2001-2004.

Party leader Steven Agnew MLA said:

"It became clear last weekend that the structure of the talks was not conducive to progress. When it comes to legacy the UK Government, and therefore the Secretary of State, is party to the discussions so cannot be an independent arbiter.

"I would urge James Brokenshire to give the parties every possible chance to break the deadlock and come to an agreement. A properly managed process is central to making that happen.

"We have heard the vast majority of the parties talk up their commitment to devolution, along with the British and Irish governments. It's time to match that rhetoric with a blueprint for progress and a sense of urgency”. 

The North Down MLA concluded:

"The deadline to produce a budget has passed, jobs and services are at risk and public frustration is mounting. Time cannot be wasted, people deserve to see movement - and quickly".