"We also call upon the Palestinians themselves to return to unity in the context of a recognised Palestinian legal structure, and in this way to spare the people the continuing and degrading siege, " Archbishop Twal added.

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"We will be seeking talks between the Irish PM, the assembly and the UK finance minister and the British prime minister to review this in the context of the need to have a good retail structure like Ulster Bank remain, particularly in Northern Ireland, " he added.

BBC: Ulster Bank says 950 jobs to go on island of Ireland