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Talks to resolve Northern Ireland deadlock continue
Tuesday, 26 January 2010
Prime Minister Gordon Brown greets Taoiseach Brian Cowen at Downing Street on January 25, 2010. Mr Cowen travelled to London today to discuss the stalemate between Sinn Fein's Martin McGuinness and the DUP's Peter Robinson
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The British and Irish premiers will hold a second day of talks today in a bid to rescue Northern Ireland's crisis-hit power-sharing government.
Prime Minister Gordon Brown and Taoiseach Brian Cowen led negotiations with the Democratic Unionists and Sinn Fein at Hillsborough Castle, Co Down, on the devolution of policing and justice powers into the early hours of this morning.
They had jetted into the region last night after a last-ditch attempt to secure a compromise between DUP leader and First Minister Peter Robinson and the Sinn Fein Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness failed.
Their dramatic intervention came amid fears republicans could collapse the fragile institutions - forcing a snap assembly election - if the DUP do not agree to a swift transfer of the powers from Westminster.
The two leaders are understood to have cleared their diaries for the coming days in anticipation of intensive exchanges with the rival politicians.
Late last night the two governments were holding private meetings with DUP and Sinn Fein negotiating teams while senior party figures from the Ulster Unionists, the nationalist SDLP and the Alliance Party also arrived at the talks venue to be briefed on progress.
While Sinn Fein said they were still holding out for a firm devolution date, the DUP again insisted they required concessions on how loyalist order parades were managed before they gave the go ahead for the transfer.
The region's largest unionist party did however indicate they would be open to proposals on how to resolve the thorny parades issue.
Sinn Fein minister in the power-sharing government Conor Murphy emerged from the talks insisting that his party was seeking a date for devolution of policing powers and wider agreements that would ensure a true spirit of partnership and equality between republicans and unionists at Stormont.
He said: "We are here clearly to get a date for the transfer of powers on policing and justice. That has been our focus.
"We want to see an agreement here. We want to see the institutions working properly.
"But they can only work properly if we have partners in these institutions who are willing to work them."
His party claimed that within three months of the 2006 St Andrews Agreement that paved the way for the power-sharing government Sinn Fein had fulfilled its obligations by backing the new policing service in Northern Ireland.
He said that three years on, the DUP had yet to fulfil its commitment to allow political responsibility for law and order to be brought within the Assembly.
With the talks ongoing, Mr Murphy said last night the DUP could broker a deal if the political will existed.
"Tonight will test that political will," he said.
DUP minister Arlene Foster said her party had made no commitment to a timeframe for the devolution of policing powers.
The DUP demanded concessions on loyalist order parades and is arguing for the parades commission, which currently adjudicates on controversial marches, to be replaced.
Last night the party indicated that it was willing to negotiate on alternative arrangements.
Ms Foster said: "We are committed to working out and working through the outstanding issues.
"We want to see the devolution of policing and justice powers come. But we want to see it come, so that it comes in a sustainable and durable way."
Northern Ireland Secretary of State Shaun Woodward said last night: "The Prime Minister and the Taoiseach met this afternoon in Downing Street and decided that the time was right to come to Belfast and engage in intensive talks with the party leaders, with Peter Robinson and with Martin McGuinness.
"Those talks are now under way, they will continue this evening and we expect them to continue into tomorrow.
"And we stand, both governments, ready to help the parties here in their talks on policing devolution and those remaining outstanding issues."
Irish Foreign Affairs Minister Micheal Martin said the governments were committed to finding an agreed way forward.
He said last night: "It is our intention to go through the night, and we are prepared to stay overnight to ensure that we bring these talks to a conclusion and to get the key issues agreed."
Mr Martin added: "One always has to reflect on the progress that has been made, not just over the last number of months but the last number of years.
"There are difficult issues here to resolve and no one is understating that but it is the governments' assessment that is within the capacity of all parties to arrive at an agreement here, that these issues are capable of resolution.
"That is why the Taoiseach and the Prime Minister are here, they wouldn't be here otherwise."
Sinn Fein junior minister Gerry Kelly briefly emerged from the talks to underline his party's demand for a swift transfer of law and order powers.
"We are here to do the business and we are here to talk about a date for policing and justice and that's what the discussions are about," he said. "I cannot go into detail..."
He revealed that while his party had held discussions with the two governments it had by 10pm yet to hold direct talks with the DUP in Hillsborough.
"We are here, we are talking, we do want to get this sorted out," he added.
DUP minister Sammy Wilson expressed hope last night that a deal could be secured, though he was critical of what he described as the atmosphere of crisis that had developed.
Mr Wilson said: "As far as we are concerned this is a contrived crisis, we don't need to be here tonight.
"There are many things I am sure most people would prefer that the Assembly would get on with the task which it already has competence over and secondly that the parties then would sit down in a responsible way and deal with the issues which are still outstanding to allow devolution of policing and justice to take place.
"That would have been a much better way to have dealt with this issue rather than the way in which Sinn Fein have tried to create this crisis here and of course the instability which is attached to that."
He insisted however that his party was committed to finding a resolution.
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Comments
62 Comments
WJ, (part of) Ulster it is, but you'll find that the role of religion in the North is far and away greater there than in the ROI.
The head of your state is also the head of the Church of England (England's state religion). Ireland (a republic) has no such official religious controlling influence. While our education system is mainly run by religious groupings, a recent Irish Times poll showed that no less than 74 per cent of voters want the system changed and the state to take over control of the primary education system (as they do with the secondary).
You mention abortion. The last time I checked it was illegal in Northern Ireland (unlike Great Britain) not because of clamouring by the Nationalist parties but because the likes of the DUP and UUP resolutely oppose it. Hence, I've no idea where you're going with that one.
Indeed, it seems one could say that Unionists are happy to belong to the UK, as long as it's on their terms.
Ulster is part of Ireland and always will be.
Posted by John Q. Public | 30.01.10, 12:20 GMT
WJ, I dont know what roll you think the Catholic church has in the republic. But I can assure you it is severely reduced in the recent past. Am I a Catholic? Yes because my parents were, I didnt have much say in the matter I was christened before i could speak. Do i believe in God? Probably not. Do I think our society should be divided because of religious attitudes of the past? Definitely not. Politicains saying they act in the name of God makes me sick. Is there abortion in NI?
Posted by Éamonn | 28.01.10, 10:39 GMT
Most people are missing the point here; the hard core of the two parties needs to see their party getting their own way. At any other time they would be ignored, but there is an election coming. I would urge swing voters on both sides to walk away from the bigots and back moderate or independent parties and candidates. Time we stopped being held to ransom by a bunch of lunatics (both sides). This is electioneering, but how is the world outside Northern Ireland viewing it?
Posted by Hector | 28.01.10, 09:50 GMT
North Down and cd -
Thanks for the replies. I am from the ROI, I dont particularly think we have a claim over NI. I voted the same. I welcome our involvement in Northern politics as do many of the people of the North. My suggestion is this. If the assembly is suspended again! Joint rule should be implemented in the interim. It will either give us a good indication of whether it would work at all or it would shake the politicians in Stormont into action?
Posted by Éamonn | 27.01.10, 11:51 GMT
Eamonn, never. Not while the ROI pays such lip service to the Roman Catholic Church and refuses to allow it's women the basic human right of access to safe and legal abortion. I am not Nationalist, I am not Irish either nor am I a rabid Loyalist and yet this as much my country as it is anyone's - my family have been here for over 300 years and that gives me the right to say that this is my homeland. This is not the ROI, this is Ulster and it must remain the unique land that it is. There's not another place like it anywhere else in the world and that is how it must stay.
Posted by WJ | 26.01.10, 22:46 GMT
Same old story - who are the individuals who benefit from this situation?
Posted by Andrew Cathcart | 26.01.10, 20:39 GMT
answer to parades problem is easy,one year they can parade next year they dont,on the year that they do parade no music etc as happens now anyway.durind the parade year,residents just stay away for the short time it takes to pass,on the no parade year marchers go elsewhere. a rule could be made that if either side misbehave then they miss a turn so to speak,then the rest of us can get on with living in peace.
Posted by moderate prod | 26.01.10, 20:18 GMT
Well said North Down. If we don't vote for it it shouldn't exist. As far as DUP they sold us out when Big Ian was still around why should they back us during Parading Issues as well.
Posted by John | 26.01.10, 20:03 GMT
by the time this farce is all over - 'north down' commentator...... you'll be glad of the ROI setting up soup kitchens - as they'll be in POLE position when economic recovery returns.
we here in the 'province' will still be feasting on flags and bunting, while perfecting our 'war dance' through the streets.
have a nice day !
Posted by Seymour Bunting | 26.01.10, 18:26 GMT
we are the FOOLS for putting these guys in charge.............
i can't eat flags and bunting - how about you ??
how do we UNITE against this farce ?
Posted by Ian Wilkins | 26.01.10, 18:21 GMT
cd - money available from where exactly? have you seen the state of the Republic's finances? it makes our budget savings look like a drop in the ocean, wise up!!
Posted by bd | 26.01.10, 17:48 GMT
@ northdown
'There is no reason to give the ROI any say in our day-to-day affairs'
Then why is Cowan in Hilsborough today. Both govts are involved, therefore.... joint rule. Not such a bad thing methinks. Eamonn said it well
Posted by sme | 26.01.10, 17:36 GMT
Hang on a minute I thought Peter Robinson had stepped aside because he couldnt cope with people knowing Iris had a toyboy? What exactly is he doing in these meetings? Firstly we only have ourselves to blame because we are the only part of the uk with proportional representation and this is what happens you dont get who you voted for. I think the time has come to make all of the money grabbing windbags quake and kick them all out and make them fight an election on the understanding of first past the post with a proper oposition. Who would win that cat fight? Oh would I ever like to get up to Stormont and give the lot of them a peice of my mind as I kick them out the door - anyone fancy joining me?
Posted by wusiwug | 26.01.10, 17:14 GMT
i dont think either party are up for the job of properly running this wee empire called the 6 counties. i would have joint rule from dublin/london. close stormont, reduce our civil servant quota by 75% and run the country directly with both sides safe in the knowledge that they are not under threat from the opposing side. sure it would be great. just think of the money we would save. we could have a hospital in every estate in NI. make NI a tax tree zone and watch indusrty pile in to the place creating great wealth for all. it sounds good to me.
Posted by peter | 26.01.10, 16:57 GMT
North Down - you are completely missing the point that GB does not want us. Why on earth would they? All we know how to do is beg for money and invent these constant logjams in order to bed for more, more, more.....
It is frankly embarrassing. They also know that no matter how useless the politicians prove themselves they seemingly will literally never be voted out by their adoring public. I have never been able to understand why that is the case.
Joint rule may increasingly be the only option left to us.
Posted by BenjiBear | 26.01.10, 16:30 GMT
''Eamonn, it's a fair point and would certainly appease nationalists, but then again from a unionist perspective I would be against it as I do not feel the ROI has any claim over NI (as GFG states). Also, it would be a slippery slope from there.
There is no reason to give the ROI any say in our day-to-day affairs ''
Theres a large amount of people who think britian have no claim to northen ireland and britian should have no say in anything. This is all old news comprises have to be made to appease both communities simple as.
Posted by Terry | 26.01.10, 16:28 GMT
Policing and Justice was sorted and agreed in St. Andrews and just required rubber stamping. The DUP have evaded this for nearly 3 years now. It's time for them to get their act together and move. Dealing with them must be like bashing your head off a brick wall.
Posted by John | 26.01.10, 15:57 GMT
Well said Éamonn. And just think of the amount of money that would be saved, Sammy's cuts may not have to be implemented. Money available for Health, Education etc etc. It would be paradise.
Posted by cd | 26.01.10, 15:32 GMT
Eamonn, it's a fair point and would certainly appease nationalists, but then again from a unionist perspective I would be against it as I do not feel the ROI has any claim over NI (as GFG states). Also, it would be a slippery slope from there.
There is no reason to give the ROI any say in our day-to-day affairs unless the people have voted for that, otherwise it is joint rule by proxy.
Posted by North Down | 26.01.10, 15:31 GMT
Can I please ask, the readers here. What would be so horrible about joint rule? Remove the threat of the union breaking up. Give nationalists a sense of belonging to there country. A peaceful Ireland for once in our history. The removal of waster politicians who cant govern the Northern Ireland. I would rather see joint rule from London and Dublin. NI would still be part of the UK, realistically the burden of expenses would just be shared between two sovereign countries.
Posted by Éamonn | 26.01.10, 15:08 GMT
62 Comments