Dick Spring
Dick Spring
Richard "Dick" Springis an Irish businessman and former politician. He was first elected as a Labour Party Teachta Dálain 1981 and retained his seat until 2002. He became leader of the Labour Party in 1982, and held this position until 1997. He served as Minister for the Environment, Minister for Energyand Minister for Foreign Affairs. He also served as Tánaiste during those three governments. Prior to his political career Spring was a successful sportsman who played for the Ireland national...
NationalityIrish
ProfessionPolitician
Date of Birth29 August 1950
CountryIreland
I believe we've spent many years trying to bring about talks which have all the Parties in Northern Ireland involved so that there'd be inclusive talks.
If I felt we had alienated the Unionists, it would worry me because we've spent a great deal of time trying to open up discussion and dialogue with the Unionist Parties.
We are looking for a Wealth Tax that will bring in sufficient revenue to justify having a wealth tax.
The British Government and the Irish Government have accepted very clearly the Mitchell Report.
It... is the best opportunity we've had in the last 25 years to bring about a settlement in Northern Ireland, and I think we should leave no stone unturned to achieve that.
There is a great deal of work that can be done between the SDLP representing the Nationalist population and the Unionist Parties, and I believe we should set down to do that.
I'm not getting frustrated... we all knew from the start that this would be a long process.