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Stormont crisis deepening as Robinson hits out at Adams
Saturday, 26 July 2008
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Stormont's stalemate was deepening today after First Minister Peter Robinson launched a blistering attack on Gerry Adams.
The DUP leader hit back at Sinn Fein claims he was dragging his feet on talks linked to the transfer of policing powers to Stormont.
Mr Robinson accused Sinn Fein of blocking the work of the Northern Ireland government for their own advantage and said if they were serious about working together he is prepared to cut short his US holiday to chair an Executive meeting.
“Gerry Adams is a block to progress,” he said. “Instead of lecturing the DUP he should stop blocking the transaction of Executive business. The DUP will not be rolling over for him or any Republican.”
The DUP and Sinn Fein are divided over a series of issues including the transfer of policing powers, the introduction of an Irish language act, education reform, the future of the Maze prison site and the continued existence of the IRA’s army council.
Both parties held talks in Downing Street in June and pledged themselves to finding a way forward, but the deadlock between them has persisted and forced the cancellation of two planned meetings of the Stormont Executive.
Earlier this week Mr Adams accused the DUP of refusing to negotiate and said they were heading towards a crisis.
But Mr Robinson said: “Sinn Fein just doesn’t seem to get it. Progress is made and agreements are reached when both sides are content. Adams seems to think that it is the role of everyone to move to his position. That just will not happen.
“The DUP will continue talking until conditions are right for unionists. As far as executive business is concerned it is Sinn Fein who is obstructing progress.”
He added: “When I came into office as First Minister I started work on clearing Executive papers. Over 30 papers are cleared by me and when they are cleared by the Deputy First Minister they form the agenda for an Executive meeting.
“Sinn Fein should get on with it and stop dragging their feet.
“The legal responsibility and duty we have to govern should not be withheld because republicans want to use it to advance their political agenda.”
The Northern Ireland Assembly began its summer recess at the end of June and it is understood that Mr Robinson started a holiday in the US this week.
But in a response to the Sinn Fein leader’s criticisms he said: “If even at this late stage Sinn Fein clear sufficient papers for an Executive meeting to be held I am happy to break into my holiday to be present at that Executive meeting.”
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We must learn from history. Making gaelic an "official" language was used post partition in the Republic to disadvantage certain people in respect to government employment.
Why on earth would anyone think that it would possibly go under a republican regime?
Posted by sean perth wa | 28.07.08, 02:39 GMT
hi scottish people originally came across from ireland a long time ago, we share a lot of roots and language. lets keep scotland scottish and ireland irish. also note our passport says 'great britain and northern ireland'..
Posted by john | 27.07.08, 20:03 GMT
One has only to read The Blair Years by Alastair Campbell to get an insight to the mind and behaviour of Adams throughout the process of "peacemaking". Adams is determined to obtain a United Ireland. IN SO DOING SEIN FINN TAKE OVER IN DUBLIN AND ADAMS HOPES TO BE THE FIRST ULSTERMAN TO BECOME PRIME MINISTER.
Posted by Ulsterman | 27.07.08, 08:58 GMT
I HOPE THAT PETER HOLDS HIS GROUND. TOO MUCH IS GOING THE REPUBLICAN WAY. THIS PEACE PROCESS AND POwER SHARING DOES NOT REALLY APPEAR TO ME TO be A GOOD THING.
Posted by JACABUS | 27.07.08, 04:48 GMT
What is the big deal about 'The Maze Stadium' and 'The Irish Language Act anyway?
The stadium idea was a non-runner from the start (just something to disagree on) and The Language Act is a total waste of money. Who wants to have a dual lingual society - how can it benefit people in any way?
Posted by Glenn | 27.07.08, 00:06 GMT
Dear Colin,
it would seem you know as little about Canadian politics as you do about Irish geography.
What do you think the people of Donegal as Ulster people would have to say about keeping Ulster British, or the Monaghan or Cavan people?
Back to basics Colin ... people have moved on.
Posted by Sammy | 26.07.08, 23:29 GMT
The Irish language is the native language of this Island. In every other country in the world, those in charge promote their own language and help keep their distinct culture alive. Many studies have shown that people that are taught other languages enjoy greater educational benefits compared to people who do not learn any language.
The Irish language acts are not designed to be anti unionist or British but to celebrate local culture and heritage. This is the will of the majority of this island and half of Northern Ireland. It cannot be discounted. Gaelic is the natural historic tongue of the whole of the island of Ireland.
Compare the negativity, aggression and narrow mindedness of all the comments sent by Unionist/Loyalist to those sent by nationalists. They need to remember that half of NI's population view themselves as Irish and not British and not to dismiss anything that they disagree with. Try understanding other cultures instead of hating.
Posted by Be filled with hate or be filled with love | 26.07.08, 22:41 GMT
One official language is a necessary tool for government and business to function with some success.
In the USA, some Spanish speaking citizens and illegals refuse to learn English.
It's great for folks to keep their cultural identity, but the language of the majority will hold sway.
I'm wondering what percentage of the Northern Irish population speaks only Gaelic?
Posted by Buster | 26.07.08, 20:30 GMT
Good on you Peter for sticking to your guns. Don't let SF dictators get away with ANYTHING and KEEP ULSTER BRITISH. DO NOT let the Irish language act pass since that would be a discriminatory block on the British people looking for jobs. The SF leadership would then require that ALL correspondance was in bioth English and Irish Take a look at Canada where the Quebecees fought for the french language and now anyone in government HAS to be bi-lingual. those who are not cannot get into government. In the government meetings there then has to be a translater when it is televised. KEEP ULSTER BRITISH.
Posted by Colin, Kitchener, Canada | 26.07.08, 14:06 GMT