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Late night deal saves Northern Ireland power-sharing government
Friday, 5 February 2010
DUP leader Peter Robinson (left) and Sinn Fein's Martin McGuinness during a press conference after a deal was announced about Northern Ireland's power-sharing government.
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The Democratic Unionist Party members last night voted to back a deal with Sinn Fein to save Northern Ireland's power-sharing government.
DUP leader Peter Robinson said his party's elected representatives at the Stormont Assembly had backed a deal with Sinn Fein and can now move forward on devolution of policing and justice.
Prime Minister Gordon Brown and taoiseach Brian Cowen are expected to travel to Belfast this morning to put their seal on the deal.
The deal on policing, justice and parades comes after nearly two weeks of round-the-clock talks at Hillsborough Castle, Co Down.
Flanked by DUP enterprise minister Arlene Foster and finance minister Sammy Wilson, Mr Robinson said all members of his party were behind the proposals.
Emerging from the two-hour meeting, he said: "The assembly group asked questions and considered the matter and have unanimously supported the way forward.
"Everyone present believes this is consistent with our election manifesto and pledges that we have made to the people.
"We look forward to going to Hillsborough when the document should be published."
The DUP Assembly group met for their late-night talks at Stormont amid fears that some may have rejected the deal after an earlier meeting this week where a significant number rejected proposals for an agreement.
It is now expected the British and Irish premiers will announce the details of the deal at Hillsborough Castle with the DUP, Sinn Fein and other party leaders.
Mr Robinson, standing in the Stormont parliament's Great Hall as the clock approached midnight, said he would now look to gain the support of the community and of the smaller Assembly parties for the agreement.
Sinn Fein and the DUP have been deadlocked over republican demands for the swift devolution of policing and justice powers from Westminster to Stormont, while unionists have called for an overhaul of how loyal order parades are overseen. The deal is expected to cover both issues.
Mr Robinson said: "We have a basis upon which we can go forward and recommend it (the deal) to our party, to the other parties in Northern Ireland and to the community.
"An essential element of the Democratic Unionist Party's manifesto is the requirement for community confidence, we believe this can be the basis for gaining that confidence."
The DUP's executive is expected to ratify the decision made by its Assembly members later today.
Last night's talks followed Sinn Fein's announcement yesterday that negotiations on policing, justice and parades had ended and republicans believed the basis for an agreement existed.
Sinn Fein's junior minister Gerry Kelly said: "The negotiations have come to a conclusion. We believe that it is a positive conclusion and we believe that it is the basis on which to move forward."
Sinn Fein welcomed confirmation of the DUP decision.
The party's president Gerry Adams said today: "I welcome the DUP's decision. We have been involved in what has been a lengthy stretch of negotiations.
"I commend the Sinn Fein negotiating team.
"I believe that the Assembly and political institutions can now proceed on the basis of equality, fairness and partnership. They also have to deliver for all citizens, that is the collective responsibility of all the political parties."
The announcement of a deal late last night came a day after Mr Robinson stepped back into the First Minister's office.
On Wednesday night he announced he was resuming his full responsibilities as Northern Ireland's First Minister.
A series of probes are under way after it emerged last month that his wife Iris, former MP for Strangford, secured £50,000 from two property developers to start a business for her teenage lover.
Mr Robinson was said to have known of the finances and was accused of breaching his code of office by failing to tell the relevant authorities.
The DUP leader denied all wrongdoing, but stepped down temporarily from the role of First Minister to allow time to clear his name.
He revealed on Wednesday that a legal review of the case, and of the obligations he faced as part of his duties of office, cleared him.
Critics have asked for him to release the legal review, and he has said he is preparing to do so.
But the fact that he felt secure to resume the top job was seen as strengthening his hand in efforts to deliver a deal he could sell to his party.
A little over 24 hours after the announcement, he convened last night's crunch meeting with his party that has now paved the way for a deal to secure Northern Ireland's power sharing government.
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Comments
55 Comments
Its good that a deal has been agreed but for public confidence , a handshake was needed in front of the cameras.The orange order will still be allowed to march. The big question remains..Why are they allowed to march in areas that they are clearly not wanted?How can this be compromised? Are school kids going to have missiles thrown at them again as they try to go to school? Why is this justifiable since we are all worried about the topic of education? I dont think a republican parade would be allowed to march up the Shankill Road...or is that open for discussion now too? Why march if we are all seeking peace? Its kind of like the wearing of Celtic and Rangers jerseys..is it all about football? We only wish it was! Same thing as parades..It causes conflicts.Traditions shouldnt be contentious or intimidating. Parades are a festering sore that will always show its ugly face as many times before..the chants,the insults from both sides and the injuries.End the trouble before it begins.
Posted by David | 06.02.10, 05:03 GMT
I am very happy today to be Irish. Well done all political parties. Lets move on now and give the people of N.I. a good future, re health care, education and good jobs. To those bigots who have made very nasty comments about the Sinn Fein and the DUP - you are a dying breed. With you lot gone N.I. will prosper.
Posted by Catherine Cerullo | 06.02.10, 02:44 GMT
Can we now look forward to a proper government that will tackle the real issues?
Posted by Pyne | 06.02.10, 01:37 GMT
baz, you are obviously not very intelligent. Sinn Fein are not the the IRA. Martin McGuinness was a volunteer in Oglaigh Na h-Eireann but left in 1974 and Gerry Adams has never been proved to have been a member. This is a great deal for the North, and as you said yourself hopefully the beginning of the end.
Posted by well done | 06.02.10, 00:51 GMT
baz the only way northern ireland can end is by a majority vote in favour of a united ireland.the peace process is about compromise and that is what has happened here no sell outs
Posted by doug | 05.02.10, 23:59 GMT
ray usa so when are the american indians getting their land back ,when they do come back and say.
Posted by Actions | 05.02.10, 21:19 GMT
The only really depressing part of today was the TUV. How can anyone support these dinosaurs?
Let them stay in the past where they belong and let decent people move forward.
Posted by pragmatic | 05.02.10, 19:58 GMT
Why aren't our politicians concentrating on important issues - Unemployment!! I am fed up with the low life in Stormount, they need to look after their Voters - all their Voters!!! Ensure jobs for all, a fair wage and a decent place to live. If they had to live in an area of high unemployment and scrimped from week to week they might understand!! People now sign on once a month!! Why?? No Jobs!!! and unemployment is rising - Shape up or Ship Out no matter what side of divide you represent!!!
Posted by Lo | 05.02.10, 19:28 GMT
I think the 12th July should be made into a Festival held in the grounds of Stormont and turned into a fun day for families of Northern Ireland. Bring all the Bands from around the country and have large tents and music talent from around the country. It has such a wonderful space in Belfast and is not put to its full potential. Perhaps have an open day around Stormont to show the general public how beautiful its interior is.
Well done for getting a good solution and I wish your team every success.
Posted by Eilish Culley | 05.02.10, 19:28 GMT
Who cares what this pack of wasters agree or disagree on. The rest of us who fund these wasters still get up in the morning and go out to work to provide for our families. Monday morning will be the same as last Monday - no difference. Reduce the Assembly to 25 and get rid of all the useless councils. The majority of MLAs and councillors are parasites.
Posted by Paul | 05.02.10, 18:27 GMT
well done everybody. maybe NI has a very bright prosperous future. i certainly look forward to a bright new era. well done!
Posted by peter the great | 05.02.10, 17:56 GMT
This strong and robust arrangement has been negotiated by the DUP team and will stand in good stead for the future. The DUP have stood up to Sinn Fein and their fellow travellers in this arrangement and forged a good deal for Northern Ireland.
Sinn Fein very obviously blinked when they realised the strength of character they faced and they will have to perform their end of the agreement for it to proceed.
Ulster people will now have control of government again and I for one trust the DUP team to monitor and regulate the return of these powers to Stormont
Posted by Darrell Monteith | 05.02.10, 17:42 GMT
Baz - what planet are you from - have you even bothered to read it or did wee Jim feed you this
Posted by Baz is a Muppet | 05.02.10, 16:51 GMT
Jim Allister's quip about DUP snowmen 'melting in the heat' just illustrates how mired in the past he is. A cheap, unoriginal and immature soundbyte with no substance behind it that he probably thinks is very clever. Really Jim, it's not original and it's certainly not clever, it's been done to death actually. Jim would do well to concentrate a bit less on slogans and smart remarks and a bit more on offering something other than a time machine back to the darkest days of the Troubles.
Posted by Graham Smyth | 05.02.10, 16:40 GMT
Some people on here need to wise up. Either we get along with each other and move forward (even the DUP and SF can manage this) or we spend our days fighting with each other. Hmmm hard choice! Well done to the DUP, i'll be voting for Peter again. At least the DUP get the job done and done right. Party at Peter's house this weekend! Now, could we get a bit of sunshine this Summer?
Posted by Belfast Citizen | 05.02.10, 16:34 GMT
Sorry, Baz. The end of the proverbial unionist Ulster and the beginning of a future in Northern Ireland.
I think I'll have a pint.
Posted by Ulysses32 | 05.02.10, 16:28 GMT
Somethings better than a kick in the ass.
Posted by Big Tas | 05.02.10, 16:09 GMT
Unionists will never accept anyone else as equals. This deal was done because they where afraid of an early election and SF being the largest party. Simple as that - once again they have to be forced to treat people as equals.
Posted by Joe | 05.02.10, 16:08 GMT
Well done to all the politicians. Come on Northern Ireland, make this agreement work. Cut out the contentious parades, Cheers on the NI soccer team, follow your counties, forgive and move on.
There is more to life than hatred and suspicion.
Posted by Éamonn | 05.02.10, 15:55 GMT
Just read the agreement. As a unionist, I was sceptical but after considering the nuances of what is in it, on balance this is a pretty good deal. As unionists we wanted policing and justice devolved and we got additional concessions to go with it. Plus, we seem to have a process set out to make the Executive more effective. Not bad at all.
Posted by Mike C | 05.02.10, 15:46 GMT
55 Comments