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Settle your differences, Hillary Clinton tells Northern Ireland
Tuesday, 13 October 2009
US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton at Stormont with First Minister Peter Robinson and Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness
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Hillary Clinton, the US Secretary of State, yesterday told the assembled politicians of Belfast, diplomatically but unmistakeably, that the time had come to complete the unfinished business of devolution.
In her address to the Northern Ireland Assembly, she complimented representatives on how far they had come in the process, but in meetings with their leaders and in other public comments, she urged them to clinch the deal on transferring policing and security powers from London to the Assembly in Belfast.
Mrs Clinton held meetings with the First Minister, Peter Robinson, from the Democratic Unionists (DUP), and the Deputy First Minister, Martin McGuinness, from Sinn Fein.
The US, she told the Assembly, would not "meddle" in the process of devolution for policing and justice. But one of the messages of her one-day visit was that policing was essential for increased stability and that stability would make US investment and job creation more likely.
Her pressure, together with that emanating from London and Dublin, was directly aimed at Mr Robinson and his party, whose misgivings have caused many months of delay in putting policing in place.
Not all in the DUP are keen on speedy movement, harbouring many instinctive reservations about the Assembly and its system, which locks them into government with Sinn Fein.
While the rest of the Assembly gave Mrs Clinton a standing ovation, two Democratic Unionist members, Gregory Campbell and the Reverend William McCrea, headed for the doors of the chamber. A Sinn Fein member, Daithi McKay, called on them to apologise for "publicly snubbing the US Secretary of State".
Mr Campbell, a Westminster MP, denied that he had staged a walkout, advancing the explanation that "we all have important business to do, particularly the economic regeneration of Northern Ireland".
The episode fuelled widespread suspicion that Mr Robinson's delay tactics over the introduction of policing powers have been motivated by more than his concerns about potential additional costs of up £500m.
Gordon Brown, who last week was involved in hours of negotiations with Mr Robinson and Mr McGuinness, yesterday sent them details of an offer dealing with the monetary aspects of the policing dispute. The two leaders appear to be pleased with this.
In this instance Sinn Fein is – for once – on the side of the angels, in that republicans are at one with the various governments in wanting a quick end to the policing dispute. They are also fully in favour of maximum US involvement in the peace process.
Some Unionists have misgivings about what they would see as too much US intervention, harbouring lingering doubts that Washington might lean towards republican interests.
Mrs Clinton's pledge not to "meddle" may have been her attempt to allay such fears. As an old Northern Ireland hand – she first visited Belfast with her husband 14 years ago – she would know well that such assurances may be necessary.
Mr Robinson reflected such concerns when he declared last week: "We are not going to be pushed or bullied or bribed."
Policing: Last piece in devolution jigsaw
*Powers over policing and justice are the last part of the devolution jigsaw yet to be transferred from London to Belfast.
*Responsibility for areas such as education, agriculture and housing was handed to Belfast several years ago.
*Policing is regarded as a particularly sensitive issue.
*It has already been agreed that neither Sinn Fein nor the Democratic Unionists would supply the minister who will run a new justice ministry.
*All the major parties have agreed that policing should be devolved – the key issue is when and how.
*Sinn Fein, London and Washington want to make the move as early as possible. The Democratic Unionists want more time, as well as assurances that extra costs will be met by London.
*Gordon Brown has finalised a financial package he hopes will satisfy the Unionists. They say they will study it.
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Comments
31 Comments
Dawn, what does it matter who caused the segregation of the schools? Fact of the matter is, it is a current day problem that needs to be resolved.
Posted by Éamonn | 14.10.09, 09:33 GMT
"I was very happy to hear Secretary of State Clinton mention the fact that NI still has religiously "segregated" schools. I hope that this divisive anomaly will be remedied very soon. Religion has no place in schools."
Who caused the segregation in the schools in the 1950s by taking out one religion and putting them in their own schools?
The RC Church!
Posted by dawn | 13.10.09, 16:37 GMT
"Policing is regarded as a particularly sensitive issue" - and the reason is the RUC etc are under the historic allegation that they colluded in murder! The Police need to be managed by a truly independent mided group of people - ones who harbour no grudge nor malice. This issue is about one set of politicians trusting another set - on a personal level. However we all know for there to be Peace the politicians must move on and harbour no grudges. I am concerned that our politicans are still full of malice and actually don't want peace!!
Posted by andrew | 13.10.09, 14:28 GMT
Lo,
De Valera did not support the Nazis, but instead implemented a policy of strict neutrality during WWII. In fact, there was a lot of Irish cooperation with MI5 and Americans intelligence services. When it is said that there were no true neutrals in WWII, Ireland would be a neutral on the side of the Allies. De Valera made major public blunders, such as offering his condolences upon Hitler's death, but he never supported the Nazi regime.
Posted by patrick Witt | 13.10.09, 13:29 GMT
When you talk about police and justice. Who is policing the education minister from making a bad job worse and why are the parents not getting the justice they desire for their children’s education. Ignoring this problem will be at the pearl of this nation, why is the education system being hijacked by politically motivated person who seems not to want to listen to anyone except her own party who seems only to endorse her. Wake up to the reality people are tired of ineffective politicians who run this country who do not listen. Remember all sides of the community are concerned about the current impasse, the silence is deafening from Stormont. No debate no questions answered this is not a democracy it’s a dictatorship
Posted by S Devine | 13.10.09, 11:59 GMT
Northern Ireland would be better off with the help of the United States Dept of State along with the Investment of US Companies. I know the wounds are still deep and painful but dwelling over the past is never going to enable this place to move on and take advantage of all it has to offer.
Posted by kc | 13.10.09, 11:55 GMT
That makes sense Eamonn and gives 20 years breatheing space.
My biggest concern is, that while we have a slight Unionist majority forced into a mixed coalition with loads of safe guards for Nationalists, down the line a slight Nationalist majority might decide its time for a chosen coalition or majority rule.
Stephen
Posted by Stephen | 13.10.09, 10:25 GMT
Fair play to Mrs Clinton for giving up her valuable time to try and help the people of Ireland. I agree with her comments about school segregation, we should all be educated together.
There were protestants in my school and we all got on great. One of them was a class hurler.
There should be no question of a change to the constitution of Northern Ireland for twenty years after devolution is completed and the North-South bodies are implemented. So i think 2030 there should be a debate on where Northern Ireland wants to go.
Posted by Éamonn | 13.10.09, 09:45 GMT
Some interesting posts - didn't realise the Republic ie De Valera supported Nazi thinking and their leader!! I seem to recall McAleese thinking Unionists did!! How the tide has turned!
Other countries within EU like Czech and Solvakia are separate and their is no bitching going on like in this hole!!
Get people jobs, I don't care who's head on the coin and neither should others, as long they have enough to make ends meet, pay the mortgage and get through Christmas!! Priorities guys, you all clearly get paid way too much!
At the moment for the majority of people in NI being part of UK is to our advantage and no fool would want to be part of RoI - unless they want a death wish!! At least we don't pay 50 euro each time we see a doctor or physio - people need to catch themselves on - you could not afford to live down south - just realise when you have it good!
Posted by Lo | 13.10.09, 09:35 GMT
gerard as much as i like your delightful fantasies i hate to see you disappointed who was it promised you this all ireland it could not be the same party who said ireland would not go into eu, and the south is no longer interested ,we will of course be united within eu structure while staying an integral part of the united kingdom this is the country you will eventually lift your pension from, so dont be lead on a false journey,it could be...up the garden path
Posted by william | 13.10.09, 07:13 GMT
Well said WH, but don't stop there just get rid of Religion completely from all aspects of life and politics.
Posted by Dave | 13.10.09, 05:49 GMT
The Americans need to spend some more time at home and get their own house in order. The time has come for them to stop tellimg othet people how to go about their business!!
Posted by Bill | 13.10.09, 04:54 GMT
You'll be waiting a long time gerard,im no fan of the dup or sinn fein either but there isn't going to be a united ireland in your time or mine - who would want the south of ireland anyway? look at the state of their economy,its a joke.
Just accept where you live and be happy with it,you would have something to really complain about if you lived in some other parts of the world, your here for a good time - not a long time.
Posted by arron | 13.10.09, 01:30 GMT
If Gerard thinks the Unionists need a De Klerk , then surely Irish Nationalists need an Eamon De Valera.
De Valera who keep Eire neutral while all other Western countries were sacrificing to fight the evil of Nazism and the Japanese Imperial forces.
De Valera who refused to help fight the terror of Nazism , letting everyone else carry the burden.
The same De Valera who cause an Irish Civil War by voting no to the Anglo Irish Treaty.
The same De Valera who sent condolences to the Germany Embassy on hearing of Hitler's death.
On the subject of Gerard wanting a united Ireland , he is living in the past , no one wants it , no oned voted for it and 35 years of terrorism to achieve a united Ireland failed miserably.
Posted by Steve | 13.10.09, 00:40 GMT
We neither need nor want some interfering old biddy, whose filandering hubby cannot grammatically string two sentences together, dictate to us how we must accept, as partners, the murdering republicans of the past.
We will never surrender to the whims of the irish/american lobby.
Posted by tommy hall | 13.10.09, 00:25 GMT
Will she go home now and suggest they make Bin-Laden vice president of USA..
Posted by Ooops is this silly | 12.10.09, 23:46 GMT
WH - of course your delight in Mrs Clinton's purported disdain for segregated schools has nothing to do with the fact that Catholic maintained Grammar schools out-perform their 'state-maintained' counterparts by some considerable margin?
You'll be voting for Sinn Féin next.
Posted by The Mighty Begorrah | 12.10.09, 22:36 GMT
Sticking their noses in where it's not wanted, AGAIN. Who NEEDS a YANK telling us how to live?
Posted by Stuart | 12.10.09, 22:15 GMT
Gerard, don't be haulin' yer breath waitin', coz it aint gonna happen in our lifetime.
Posted by Ulster 4 eva | 12.10.09, 21:29 GMT
I'm all for the GFA, I'm all for equality and power sharing, I'm all for putting the past behind us and embracing IRA/Sinn Fein into our government, I welcome the visit from Secretary Clinton, and despite hearing some very negative comments on the radio today coming out of the unionist community, I do not believe they were representative of the majority unionist vote.
There are high tensions today on the 25th anniversary of the Brighton bombing, the day an unrepentant IRA murderer is standing in Westminster as an ambassador of peace, yet a man who feels no guilt for his shameful past?
And what future for unionism in IRA/Sinn Fein's Ireland of equals, when republicans cannot bring themselves to recognise or even say the words Northern Ireland; if you want unionism to respect the prospect of a united Ireland, then respect Northern Ireland and its place in the UK.
If unionist are not even given this equality today, then forget believing it will come in a future united Ireland?
Posted by Steven73 | 12.10.09, 20:56 GMT
31 Comments