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Northern Ireland leaders Peter Robinson and Martin McGuinness in public clash

Monday, 14 December 2009

Northern Ireland's First and Deputy First Ministers Peter Robinson (right) and Martin McGuinness (left) disagree in front of the cameras over policing and justice

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Northern Ireland's First and Deputy First Ministers Peter Robinson and Martin McGuinness appeared to clash in public today for the first time over the devolution of policing and justice powers.

As the pair appeared before the cameras at a press conference their private disagreement over the devolution of policing and justice powers to the Stormont Assembly deepened when Mr McGuinness accused his counterpart of raising roadblocks to a deal.

As the men stood side-by-side in front of the media, a visibly angry Mr Robinson effectively reprimanded his opposite number accusing him of bringing private details into the public domain.

The temperature rose as Mr McGuinness continually shook his head in disagreement as Mr Robinson spoke.

The Sinn Fein leader hit out at Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) calls for a scrapping of the Parades Commission, which rules on Orange Order parades, and said it could not be a pre-condition to a deal on the transfer of policing and justice powers.

Mr McGuinness: "I move forward against the backdrop of the agreements that I made with Peter Robinson 13 months ago where we agreed an over-30 step approach to the transfer of powers on policing and justice.

"I have to say at no stage in that process was the issue of issues being used as pre-conditions for the transfer of power for policing and justice mentioned."

In a reference to a DUP letter to the Prime Minister demanding 'confidence building' measures for unionists before a deal, Mr McGuinness added: "At no stage were people contemplating sending, on solo runs, letters to Prime Ministers which effectively I had not seen, was not made aware of and was completely surprised by."

Mr Robinson hit back by claiming republicans had already backed reform of parades, but had now opted to delay the measures as a tactic.

The First Minister, who glanced at his adviser and became visibly angry as Mr McGuinness spoke, added: "I regret the tone of the latter remarks.

"I don't think that it is helpful for us to be going into the finer details of these matters, but nobody is in any doubt that the issue of parades was moving forward and was held back."

The exchanges were seen as a public demonstration of the two leaders' long-running private dispute.

Mr McGuinness is already on record as having said that he has not been able to build an adequate relationship with Mr Robinson, despite having enjoyed a good working relationship with his predecessor as DUP leader, Ian Paisley.

The clash came as Irish premier Brian Cowen lead a team of his government's ministers in a session of cross-border talks with members of the Northern Ireland administration.

The 'North-South Ministerial Council', first formed under the Good Friday peace agreement of 1998 is marking its tenth anniversary, but proceedings today were overshadowed by fears for the future of the Stormont Assembly.

Today's meeting in Limavady, Co Londonderry, brought together ministers drawn from both jurisdictions in Ireland who announced progress on a series of cross-border projects.

The Irish government delegation led by the Taoiseach Mr Cowen included seven other ministers: Tanaiste Mary Coughlan, Finance Minister Brian Lenihan, Foreign Affairs Minister Micheal Martin, Education Minister Batt O'Keeffe, Agriculture Minister Brendan Smith, Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, Eamon O Cuiv and Transport Minister Noel Dempsey.

The delegation led by the First and deputy First Minister included the DUP's Junior Minister Robin Newton.

The remainder of the Northern Ireland delegation was made up of Mr McGuinness, and his party colleagues Junior Minister Gerry Kelly, Regional Development Minister Conor Murphy, Education Minister Caitriona Ruane, plus the SDLP's Social Development Minister Margaret Ritchie.

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23 Comments

Peter Robinson realizes that a transfer of police and justice power to Stormont means yet another loosening of bonds between NI and the "mainland" and a major one at that. He is hoping to hang on in the hope that the Tory mischief makers will return to power next year and somehow reverse the tide of history.

Any blind man can see that this is never going to happen, but Robinson is so entrenched in his bigotry that he cannot accept reality.

I believe he would make an average to good local counselor - in a good unionist stronghold of course. Most unionist people are decent people and deserve better than this

Posted by Evergreen | 16.12.09, 10:27 GMT

I think that the issue of parades has been put in as a precondition to pacify the TUV thinking sceptics in the DUP. Mr. Robinson needs to lead our country with fairness & strength, also, there are loads of safe guards in place to insure no foul play occurs within the Policing and Justice portfolio. It is impossible to please everyone and confidence will follow when the population experience the gains of doing it our way. Please move this forward and get on with bread and butter issues, delays will ultimately encourage anti agreement unionists and other agitators!

Posted by Stephen Blacker | 16.12.09, 00:06 GMT

i predict big chandes in 2010 for northern ireland politics (at last the end of an era) and from the ashes of dup ulster says no and sien fien ireland united will come a new force in politics that will enlghten the world (the gun men have gone )and now its time for the politicians who put them there to go also. goodridence to all you dinasours and god forgive us for allowing you to survive so long.lets hope scienciets do not rivive your d.n.a.

Posted by michael donaldson | 15.12.09, 19:06 GMT

First Minister Robinson has to learn to keep his word - the old days of broken promises should be consigned to the dustbin!

Posted by Seamus O'hEarcain | 15.12.09, 16:21 GMT

Puzzled American, it is not an issue of the catholic vs protestant sectarian mantra, its an issue for irish unity and the persistance of unionism in n. ireland to want to live off the hand outs of the british government. Unionism is afraid to take the leap of faith into a united ireland it is afraid of and clings to the crown for some sort of cultural identity, even when the normal english people realise they actually don't know what it means to be english. Unionism is rudderless under robinson...but are there any suitable replacements???????

Posted by newry citizen | 15.12.09, 14:53 GMT

where else in the world would u get ira in government

Posted by jbdecor | 15.12.09, 13:39 GMT

Darrell, wait until England shuts off the money, honey! Then we'll see who is made of ssterner stuff.
Peter Robinson is a dinosaur...wait he and the DUP don't believe in dinosaurs as the earth is only 6000years old.

Posted by Patrick | 15.12.09, 13:15 GMT

My goodness no sectarian comments from "Sean in Co Down Ireland" yet? Dont believe it.

Posted by d | 15.12.09, 12:17 GMT

NOBODY gives a toss about policing and justice powers....

We need to vote these people out ASAP.

Posted by BenjiBear | 15.12.09, 11:37 GMT

I don't understand this entire situation. I was reviewing the photo essay of "The Troubles" and I couldn't understand the reason the UDA didn't want an independent Ireland. Is it strictly an issue of Protestant versus Catholic religion? Is there a book or some reference that I can read that will provide some background to this situation?

Posted by puzzled American | 15.12.09, 11:09 GMT

Newry Citizen, should learn that there are over 1 million protestants in Northern Ireland and gone are the days when they can bullied around by the provos. While those protestants may have been bullied out of his town, Newry, they are now in government in Stormont and not easily bullied.

Peter Robinson is right to stand his ground, McGuinness needs to realise he is not now dealing with some english wimp but rather a unionist leader made of sterner stuff.

Posted by Darrell Monteith | 15.12.09, 10:38 GMT

don't worry too much about laurel and hardy......... they'll get paid whatever the outcome - thats the important issue............

the new JOINT policy for the N.I electorate in 2010...... "no dublin rule / brits out" - that should keep the poor happy !

Posted by Seymour Bunting | 15.12.09, 10:37 GMT

Devolving policing in this country would be like Obama making friends with Al Qaeda and then inviting them to share in Govt - I wonder how many nationalists in the community will have to start looking over their shoulders in the event Stormont takes over policing here...?

Stand your ground Robinson.

Posted by Merry | 15.12.09, 10:17 GMT

robinson is a relic of the floundering protestenat culture left in northern ireland, time for a new leader in unionism, mcguinness needs a medal for his patience!!!!!!!!!!!

Posted by newry citizen | 15.12.09, 10:08 GMT

Peter Robinson is right, it is a matter of confidence. What he might have gone on to say, is that it is a matter of no confidence in NI's politicians.

If you meet anyone in NI who is interested in policing and justice, apart from the chattering political classes, let me know.

Most people I know are more concerned about - Education, jobs, decent housing, the environment. pensions, making ends meet and of course, the weather!

Posted by Paddy | 15.12.09, 07:17 GMT

If these two cant agree to disagree what hope is there for Ulster families who are caught up in a severe recession! All these politicians ramble on about from they were elected is marches, marches and more marches!! why do they not start a joint band of cross party marchers and walk Ulsters streets to find out that the people who elected them are very angry about their lifestyles! With the huge salaries they receive from the taxpayers they do not seem to have the sense to fathom out they were elected to help people in every day life instead of helping themselves!!

Posted by Mike Irvine | 15.12.09, 00:07 GMT

Peter Robinson might as well ask santa for a time-machine so he can go back and erase all those committments he made.

Because that makes about as much sense as the DUP's current antics. They are flailing about without a leader - and incapable of even basic politics - beyond blocking any reform or progress.

Never thought Paisley's stepping down would hurt them this bad

Posted by ger | 14.12.09, 23:39 GMT

After the turmoil of recent decades I realize that both parts of Ireland are in rapid transition coming into the year 2010.

My hope for NI is that ground level reconciliation of both traditions take hold there. The PEOPLE should drive the politicians and not the other way round. I hope that some young Unionist politician living in the 21st century comes through to replace throw backs such as Peter Robinson who is simply INCAPABLE of change and is thus the wrong man for the job. Your community deserves better.

My hope for the Republic is that lessons have been learned economically and that there will never be a return to the madness of the Celtic Tiger years without good management being applied and also that a secular state will now come about.

Overall I hope that Ireland will be united in time to come for the good of all (except the English Establishment) as an important part of a United Europe.

I've done my share of it, but the time for petty point scoring is over.

Posted by Evergreen | 14.12.09, 23:15 GMT

The parades commission is an necessary evil to avoid serious conflict. The core ethos of orangeism is vilification of Catholics and polarisation of N Ireland. There is nothing subtle about their intentions under the current grand master.

Posted by gusty | 14.12.09, 22:34 GMT

I am a nationalist and I agree with getting rid of the Parades Commission as it now stands. We need one that works for all and not just the Orange Order. We would'nt need one at all if the Orandemen stay out of where they're not welcome. And while you're at it dump the DUP. They are incapable of a shared responsibility for anything

Posted by PD Whistle | 14.12.09, 21:52 GMT