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Executive plunges deeper into crisis
Friday, 29 August 2008
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First Minister Peter Robinson has demanded an immediate Stormont Executive meeting after charging a Sinn Fein Minister with breaching the official Code of Office.
The DUP leader also accused Regional Development chief Conor Murphy of extreme bad faith, and warned of possible High Court action.
The high stakes political poker game, with the future of the power-sharing Executive in danger, intensified as relations between the two main parties in government appeared to further deteriorate.
The Belfast Telegraph understands Mr Robinson also sent a private memo to Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness urging him to give serious consideration to an Executive meeting as soon as possible.
But Sinn Fein hit back angrily last night and insisted no letter from Mr Robinson has the authority of the First Minister’s office without the co-signature of Mr McGuinness. “It is a joint office. This is not worth the paper it’s written on,” a spokesman said.
At the centre of the deepening crisis, sparked by the devolution of policing and justice powers, is a massive review of the regional development strategy up to the year 2025.
Senior Stormont sources last night claimed the version of the strategy, which is currently publicly available, fails to deal with 157 changes agreed at Executive level earlier in the year.
Mr Robinson insists on the immediate withdrawal of the more than 100-page document and a detailed explanation of how the situation has arisen.
In a letter sent to Mr Murphy, the DUP First Minister says it is an extremely serious matter which goes to the heart of the credibility of the Executive. And he warns that if ministers cannot be trusted to properly bring forward policies collectively agreed by the Executive, the effectiveness of the entire administration would be called into question.
In a strongly worded attack, he says Mr Murphy appears to have acted unlawfully and argues he is in breach of the pledge of office set out in the Ministerial Code.
Minutes of Stormont meetings explain how the strategy blueprint, which includes proposals on housing, the environment and other developments, was not brought back to ministers for approval.
Mr Robinson said he wanted an immediate Executive meeting to deal with the issue before it becomes a matter for the courts.
A spokeswoman for the Department of Regional Development confirmed the letter has been received. Mr Murphy is on holiday but returns to his desk on Monday.
A Sinn Fein spokesman said, however: “The DUP are in complete disarray and have just not thought this through.
“No letter from a First Minister without being co-signed by the Deputy First Minister can carry the imprimatur of the office.
“In fact, it has no authority at all. It just shows which party is up for attempting to resolve these issues and which is not.”
The latest developments come as the two parties had been attempting, behind the scenes, to agree to joint talks at leadership level, including Sinn Fein President Gerry Adams, next week.
Sinn Fein has been refusing to agree to Executive meetings since June because it says there is no point until the switching of police and justice responsibility from Westminster to the Assembly, along with other issues, including Irish language legislation, have been dealt with.
But the party also said progress over the summer had proved impossible, partly because Mr Robinson had gone on a month-long holiday to the United States.
Then, earlier this week, the East Belfast MP ratcheted up the tension after declaring there would be serious consequences for the good government of Northern Ireland if the next scheduled meeting of the Executive for September 18 does not go ahead.
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27 Comments
In an era of peak oil if production declines occur before replacement grid electricity and transportation fuel are available. A systemic failure of domestic life support systems and economic collapse could result in a die off and exodous. A principality energy company using geothermal, wind, solar and hydro with hydrogen made at the filling station from water could help to ensure peace and prosperity.
Posted by Richard D Priest Jr | 01.09.08, 05:05 GMT
This is a perfect example of why young professional people and those with any ambition at all leave the backward place that is Northern Ireland.
Thats why when one flies into Belfast you fully expect the pilot to say "Welcome to Belfast where the loacl time is 1690"
Posted by Herewe goagain | 30.08.08, 11:17 GMT
Blowin, the benefits barely meet the cost of living. I have lived there. Given the benefits culture that exists in many parts of N.Ireland do you honestly think the corruption-ridden Republic government want to take on the additional costs or the strife that would come with a deeply divided community. If we accept that a referendum result of 50% +1 vote is enough to change the status that means the Republic would have 1 million disenfranchised and disgruntled people in its population. Add to this the loss of jobs that would occur in both communities by the removal of large parts of the public sector and the huge administrative burden of changing the constitutional position of Nortthern Ireland. Wake up and realise that we all lose by unification.
Posted by petesy | 30.08.08, 08:00 GMT
gerald you are in dreamland thinking there is a unite ireland around the cornner , you must have your head beteen your legs to think that .
remember southern ireland is not like 1900s they sold out there people , they dont even have there own money anymore , punt is gone ,dont even have there own laws anymore i could go on and on.
Posted by ernie | 29.08.08, 21:45 GMT
Northern Ireland politics are a joke!! People must get out and remove these incompetents from office,and replace them with a NEW GUARD. Time for a change with justice and freedom for all. The best of good fortune to you all. Looking forward to being there in a few weeks.
Posted by RMS | 29.08.08, 20:25 GMT
I am an American Roman Catholic. My grandfather was born near Belfast. I always hoped and prayed that a joint government shared by Protestants and Catholics would become a reality. It pains me to see strife unending in the parliament of Northern Ireland. My family's last visit to see our relatives in Co. Antrim was in 1979 during the heart of the troubles. What we saw was disturbing to say the least.
From my point of view from America, it seems unimaginable that sectarian strife still lives on in Norther Ireland.
When will it end?
Posted by Charles Scally | 29.08.08, 19:46 GMT
Why dont these OLD men grow up jd
Posted by judiann | 29.08.08, 19:34 GMT
In response to "Uncle Andy": if you have a mirror in your house please look into it and you will be looking at the source of the problem. Name calling is not going to solve anything. In fact it is only going to serve to condemn your nephews and nieces to a life of misery and bitterness in one of the most beautiful parts of the world. I think we have had enough "ready-fire-aim" politics from those in charge, and I suspect that the tax payers of England have had enough also!
Posted by Edward | 29.08.08, 17:23 GMT
Petesy, the lack of welfare benefits in the Republic??? You mustn't realise that the state pension in the Republic of Ireland is €223 per week!!! Free spouse pass for over 65s and free companion pass for the disabled!!! Translate that into Sterling and see who lacks welfare benefits!!
Posted by Blowin | 29.08.08, 16:30 GMT
Yes SF are a joke but the joke is on the unioinists, it's government with SF/IRA or united Ireland. You would not have dreamed of this happening in 1988.
Posted by Gerald | 29.08.08, 16:23 GMT
We are heading for a united ireland, face the facts. The sooner the better for all the people of the north. Would anyone seriously suggest that a country run in a DUP/SF partnership can work?
A united ireland will offer equality for all and makes sense from an economic point for view given the corporation tax rates. It would also mean politics would be about real issues.
Do unionists think the IRA would stop if they didn't think their objectives would be achieved?
Posted by Derry voice | 29.08.08, 16:06 GMT
I don't care who our elected officals are...catholic, protestant or anything else. What I do care about is Northern Ireland. They should be doing whats best for US...the poeple...not bickering and squabbling. I know there are some tough issues which represent the cultural divides in our commuity but I honestly believe there are more issues than unite us than divide us...education, water biils, healthcare, our struggling economy...I would ask our politicians to focus on those and more importantly to focus on US. We certainly pay you enough! The people of Northern Ireland deserve better than this....especially after all the 'troubles' we have put up with over ther years!
Posted by Am | 29.08.08, 15:48 GMT
Sinn Fein are a total joke of a party and unfit for government. Cannot believe that anyone gives them a vote when all they do is dodge questions. Suppose thats what you get when you have terrorists turn poiliticians.
I say pull the whole thing down as its not working. Forcing through a transfer of police and justice to criminals/terrorists would be unacceptable to most. The forcing through of a pointless dead language act not much better. Catriona Ruane education reforms! need I say more.
Posted by Uncle Andy | 29.08.08, 15:14 GMT
Get on with it! Yet again our inadequate politicians are fighting and squabling over "he said/she said" like a bunch of kids. I have had to make people redundant over the past few weeks because of the downturn in the construction industry. If these clowns would get their fingers out, act like real politicians, start spending money on health, education, infrastructure then we could make this place somewhere we can be proud of. I don't care whether it's called Northern Ireland, The North, or bl**dy Neverland! (Which by the way might be more appropriate because the executive never get things done!) This lot have spent so long fighting each other they don't know when to stop. For everyone's sake JUST GET ON WITH IT! YOU ARE PAID BY US TO DO A JOB, NOT TO PLAY PETTY POINT SCORING GAMES! Sort out the Maze, sort out the 11 plus, sort out policing, sort out health spending, education spending, infrastructure spending and sort it all out now! Run the country or get out of Stormont!
Posted by Mr angry! | 29.08.08, 15:12 GMT
Maybe if the people of this country stopped voting for two extremist parties who are never going to agree and allowed the politicians in the middle ground to come to the fore, then maybe we would progress.
Posted by JK | 29.08.08, 15:11 GMT
In reply to Derryman and Sinead - just what is it that so attracts you to this unification?...the extortionate cost of living? Paying for healthcare at the point of service? The lack of welfare benefits? Joining a country built on the begging-bowl of Europe?
Maybe they could change which side of the road they drive on just to rub it in to 'those Brits'. Unification is in the minds of people, not the physical borders and it is obvious that if the people of Northern Ireland cannot be unified then any supposed Unification with the Republic would be a catastrophe.
Posted by Petesy | 29.08.08, 14:59 GMT
In reply to Liam
I wasnt actually talking about the Belfast Agreement, I am of course talking about the negotiations that took place at St Andrews. It was destined for failure from the off and anyone who didnt see this are the ones "deluded"
You speak as if I would prefer fighting on the streets, classic answer from someone doesnt get too much from politics here because you dont demand enough. Are you like this with everything in life?
The opportunity was there to get final REAL agreement and delivery at St Andrews but instead what was signed up to was just an agreement of words, no action. which is what is needed most.
democracy needs to prevail in this country some time. Democracy is not mandatory collalision, neither is it parties having a veto over anything. that is not democracy!!
If you are happy to continue to settle for the same rubbish time and time again fair enough. but I want one REAL agreement with real delivery from ALL the parties. Then we will be on the right road
Posted by Gary | 29.08.08, 14:40 GMT
Very well put Derry Man. 'Direct Rule' will never be allowed here, the reign of the DUP is ending......fast They should just face up to it and accept it.
Posted by Sinead | 29.08.08, 14:35 GMT
Folks, why all the hoo-hah at the latest handbags at 9'oclock episode?
The deal has been done, North and South Ireland are on the course for reunification, the current NI Executive is just a steering committee to ensure it alll goes smoothly and this latest row is just a couple of chickens squabbling in the farmyeard over a few grains of corn.
Do you honeslty think the IRA would have laid down the arms without a deal or promise?
Catch yerselves on!
Posted by Derry Man | 29.08.08, 14:13 GMT
Time to pack it in the Dup has shown that they are not professional enough to be in goverment silly political point making when there are major issues to be managed
Posted by Harry Law | 29.08.08, 14:01 GMT
27 Comments