Stormont stand-off could 'go on to 2009'
Saturday, 11 October 2008
Print
Email
The Ulster Unionist leader, Sir Reg Empey, has warned that disagreements between the DUP and Sinn Fein are so deep that the Stormont Executive might not meet before the end of the year.
Another meeting of the executive has been scheduled for Thursday, but there is still no sign of an end to the stand-off.
Sir Reg said he understood talks were continuing between the two larger parties but he wasn't particularly optimistic.
Sinn Fein has refused to agree an agenda for future executive meetings as it said that although the DUP will talk endlessly about anything, it won't reach negotiated agreements on the devolution of policing, an Irish language act or the future of education.
Peter Robinson, the DUP leader, said Sinn Fein president Gerry Adams, is having difficulty coming to terms with no longer being able to control events.
Mr. Adams has accused the DUP of refusing to accept partnership government and of using abusive and offensive language.
Sir Reg said all this is adding to the contempt the public feel for local politicians.
Post a comment
Limit: 500 characters
View all comments that have been posted about this article
Offensive or abusive comments will be removed and your IP address logged and may be used to prevent further submissions. In submitting a comment to the site, you agree to be bound by BelfastTelegraph.co.uk's Terms of Use.
Posts submitted in UPPERCASE letters will be rejected.
Also in this section
- SF forced DUP hand on policing: Empey
- DUP member wants interpretive centre plans dropped
Sinn Fein need to wise up. Instead of crying over Policing and Justice they need to forget about it and move on. Also with the DUP offering a open agenda Sinn Fein still refuse. If Gerry Adams is bored why doesnt he take over Education.
Posted by Mark | 12.10.08, 21:34 GMT
The solution is not as clear as to pander to one side at the expense of an other, Pat. There are 1.7m million people in this juristiction, not 750,000, so I don't think imposing ones will on the other is really going to work.
Yes two issues that you stated are to be discussed, but there is a bigger one looming and that is the effects of a potential worldwide economic depression. With respect, I do not think the implementation of the Irish language is going to solve the massive unemployment or personal financial hardship people may have to deal with over the next 2-5 years. This is not a united Ireland/United Kingdom issue.
Instead of trading personal insulted to cover their ineptitude as leaders, our politicians need to sit down NOW, and if that does not happen, then London and Dublin need to make a very real threat to close them down if that does not happen.
Posted by Dave | 12.10.08, 20:42 GMT
Its really quite simple. The DUP need to move forward with the commitments made at St Andrews. Devolution of policing and an Irish language act must be implemented as agreed.
Posted by Pat | 12.10.08, 14:53 GMT
I understand that being a politician is seen as being on the gravy train but you would think they would have the decency to show some inclination to work. As has been shown in the past the only thing they pay heed to is money so stop the wages/perks until they are achieving something, I don't mean back at work I mean actually achieving some. If I/we have to have a performance appraisal every year why not some of the high earners. Hope the people remember this come elections and the sooner the better.
Posted by patrick | 12.10.08, 05:54 GMT
I totally agree with the comment left by Fed UP, these men who have been elected to represent the people of Northern Ireland need to buckle down to what they are being paid a ludricious amount of money for and get on with governing Northern Ireland, the british government should stop their wages and it will be amazing to see how soon they run back to the chambers at stormont!!
Posted by William Lisburn | 11.10.08, 22:34 GMT
It is now time that the Assembly shut down and powers went back to London. We were living in difficult times and our MLA's are not up to the job. Tell them if there is no Executive this week then stop wages straight away
Posted by Mark | 11.10.08, 21:57 GMT
The government must close up shop.Was doomed from the start. People around the world think its a circus. Save money,give their wages to the people that most need it,.. in N Ireland.
Posted by UNIONCRUISER | 11.10.08, 20:55 GMT
If the people who represent these two parties cannot agree to serve the people and address the real issues that concern us most, then they must step down from public duty. Surely there must be some mechanism in place to force this issue, as they are clearly not acting on behalf of the people who elected them. I hope both these parties are slaughtered in the next elections.
Posted by Fed Up | 11.10.08, 19:56 GMT