A more stable and prosperous future is within Northern Ireland’s grasp, the head of the Catholic Church in Ireland claimed today.

After holding groundbreaking talks with the Reverend Ian Paisley and his Democratic Unionist Party, Archbishop Sean Brady said that the meeting was helpful and constructive.

He said: "Today’s meeting confirmed to me that all of us have a part to play in creating a more stable and prosperous future for Northern Ireland.

"I firmly believe that such a future is within our grasp if each one of us can find the courage to take account of the needs of the other and not just those of our own community.

"I think that real peace will come only when we focus on the common good of all of our society and not just on sectional interest."

Today’s first meeting between the DUP and the Catholic Church was seen as highly significant, coming just days before vital political talks in Scotland about restoring power sharing in Northern Ireland.

The Rev Paisley has been a fierce critic of the Catholic Church in the past.

DUP strategists preparing for this week’s talks in St Andrews hope that today’s meeting will put to rest claims by nationalists that the party is not interested in reaching out to its Catholic neighbours and sharing power with them.

Mr Paisley’s delegation during the hour-long meeting included the DUP deputy leader Peter Robinson, his fellow MPs Nigel Dodds, Gregory Campbell, Jeffrey Donaldson, and policing board member Arlene Foster.

Today’s discussions focused on social, economic and political issues, including poverty, education and support for the family in society.

Archbishop Brady also confirmed they discussed efforts to revive devolution and attempts to ensure all sides, including Sinn Fein, support policing.

He said: "Northern Ireland is fast becoming a more diverse and dynamic society.

"I hope and pray that coming months will also see it become a more democratically accountable and stable society.

"Perhaps then we will be able to unlock the great potential that undoubtedly exists within the people of Northern Ireland and set this place free to become one of the safest, most welcoming and most prosperous parts of the world."

In a statement issued after the meeting, Rev Paisley said his party had had a very good and useful exchange of views with the Northern Ireland Catholic Council for Social Affairs delegation across a range of issues.

The North Antrim MP said: "It is in the interests of everyone to develop the foundations for stability and prosperity for all the people of Northern Ireland.

"During our discussions we touched on a very wide range of subjects, including the need to address issues of poverty and social need in our province, the necessity to build a strong local economy, the benefits that can be derived for the whole community from achieving stable devolutionary arrangements for Northern Ireland, and developing support for law and order across the community.

"We look forward to further discussions with Archbishop Brady and his colleagues in the coming months."

With the issue of Sinn Fein’s policy towards policing set to play a major role in the discussions at St Andrews in Scotland this week, the DUP hope that today’s meeting with the Archbishop and his delegation will put further pressure on Sinn Fein to join other Northern Ireland Assembly parties in backing the Police Service of Northern Ireland.

Sinn Fein has said it is prepared to consider a change in policy once there is a clear signal from the DUP that it will go into Government with Republicans, other Unionists and nationalists.

Northern Ireland’s politicians have been given until November 24 to agree to the resumption of power-sharing at Stormont.

This week’s talks involving Tony Blair and Bertie Ahern, the Irish Taoiseach, will give London and Dublin a clear indication whether a deal to bring back devolution is possible.

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