Menu
13/08/2001
Assembly re-instated after turbulent 48 hours
Northern Ireland Assembly ministers returned to their posts on Monday following a 48-hour long suspension to give all the political parties time to reflect.
However, while Northern Ireland Secretary of State Dr John Reid urged the political parties to use the six-weeks gained by the temporary suspension to resolve the outstanding issues of decommissioning, policing and normalisation, the response on all side has been one of heightened tension.
Amid fears that the IRA may step away from the decommissioning offer tabled at the last minute to the de Chastelain commission, Republicans are furious about the suspension of the political institutions put in place by the Good Friday Agreement.
Unionists on the other hand are enraged by the nationalists’ stance which they see as doing nothing after being given two deadline extensions and three years in which to decommission. Economy Minister Sir Reg Empey said unionists were asking republicans to honour the commitments made on decommissioning. He said that republicans’ use of this “bargaining chip” to keep the peace process on tenterhooks was “morally repugnant”.
Neither side appears optimistic that there will be actual decommissioning within the six-week breathing space won by Dr Reid’s action to suspend the Assembly.
With no plans to bring the sides together in yet another attempt to achieve some form of consensus, political commentators see little prospect for advancement in the next six-weeks.
Speaking after a meeting on Saturday with Dr Reid, Irish Foreign Minister Brian Cowan appealed for the politicians in the north to use the time productively and to work together.
Dr Reid considers a deal to be “tantalisingly close,” yet Sinn Fein president Gerry Adams does not apparently share this view. He told supporters gathered for a rally to commemorate the 1981 hunger strike on Sunday that republicans would neither give in to the British government nor yield to unionist pressure in the six-week period ahead.
The SDLP, stopping short of supporting the as yet unpublished proposals on policing, have called on the government to release full details of the implementation on policing. An SDLP spokesman said that uncertainty surrounding the 175 points in the Patten implementation proposals could be removed by publishing the document.
(SP)
However, while Northern Ireland Secretary of State Dr John Reid urged the political parties to use the six-weeks gained by the temporary suspension to resolve the outstanding issues of decommissioning, policing and normalisation, the response on all side has been one of heightened tension.
Amid fears that the IRA may step away from the decommissioning offer tabled at the last minute to the de Chastelain commission, Republicans are furious about the suspension of the political institutions put in place by the Good Friday Agreement.
Unionists on the other hand are enraged by the nationalists’ stance which they see as doing nothing after being given two deadline extensions and three years in which to decommission. Economy Minister Sir Reg Empey said unionists were asking republicans to honour the commitments made on decommissioning. He said that republicans’ use of this “bargaining chip” to keep the peace process on tenterhooks was “morally repugnant”.
Neither side appears optimistic that there will be actual decommissioning within the six-week breathing space won by Dr Reid’s action to suspend the Assembly.
With no plans to bring the sides together in yet another attempt to achieve some form of consensus, political commentators see little prospect for advancement in the next six-weeks.
Speaking after a meeting on Saturday with Dr Reid, Irish Foreign Minister Brian Cowan appealed for the politicians in the north to use the time productively and to work together.
Dr Reid considers a deal to be “tantalisingly close,” yet Sinn Fein president Gerry Adams does not apparently share this view. He told supporters gathered for a rally to commemorate the 1981 hunger strike on Sunday that republicans would neither give in to the British government nor yield to unionist pressure in the six-week period ahead.
The SDLP, stopping short of supporting the as yet unpublished proposals on policing, have called on the government to release full details of the implementation on policing. An SDLP spokesman said that uncertainty surrounding the 175 points in the Patten implementation proposals could be removed by publishing the document.
(SP)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
29 June 2009
UVF Guns, Ammo And Bombs 'Beyond Use'
The haul of weapons decommissioned by the UVF and Red Hand Commandos included guns, ammunition and explosives, it has been revealed. However, independent observers - who described the cache as a "major decommissioning event" - have not said how many weapons were actually given up.
UVF Guns, Ammo And Bombs 'Beyond Use'
The haul of weapons decommissioned by the UVF and Red Hand Commandos included guns, ammunition and explosives, it has been revealed. However, independent observers - who described the cache as a "major decommissioning event" - have not said how many weapons were actually given up.
14 November 2018
NI Political Leaders React To Draft Brexit Deal
Northern Ireland political leaders have reacted to rumours of a breakthrough in Brexit negotiations. Prime Minister Theresa May's deal will be the focus of a Cabinet meeting at Downing Street today, Wednesday 14 November.
NI Political Leaders React To Draft Brexit Deal
Northern Ireland political leaders have reacted to rumours of a breakthrough in Brexit negotiations. Prime Minister Theresa May's deal will be the focus of a Cabinet meeting at Downing Street today, Wednesday 14 November.
20 October 2017
'Children Should Not Be The Latest Victims Of Daft Political Games' - Alliance
Children should not be the latest victims of daft political games, Alliance Health spokesperson Paula Bradshaw has said. She made the statement after the announcement that the defence of "justifiable assault" will be removed from Scottish law, which will protect children from physical abuse.
'Children Should Not Be The Latest Victims Of Daft Political Games' - Alliance
Children should not be the latest victims of daft political games, Alliance Health spokesperson Paula Bradshaw has said. She made the statement after the announcement that the defence of "justifiable assault" will be removed from Scottish law, which will protect children from physical abuse.
24 January 2005
Tyrone doctor to stand for West Tyrone seat
The Tyrone doctor who topped the poll during the 2003 West Tyrone Assembly elections has confirmed that he is to stand in this year’s general election. Dr Kieran Deeny declared his intention in Omagh on Monday, saying he wanted to fight for better health services following the Government’s decision to remove acute hospital services from Tyrone.
Tyrone doctor to stand for West Tyrone seat
The Tyrone doctor who topped the poll during the 2003 West Tyrone Assembly elections has confirmed that he is to stand in this year’s general election. Dr Kieran Deeny declared his intention in Omagh on Monday, saying he wanted to fight for better health services following the Government’s decision to remove acute hospital services from Tyrone.
11 January 2005
Doherty reselected for West Tyrone Westminster seat
Sinn Féin vice president Pat Doherty has been reselected as the party’s Westminster Candidate for West Tyrone at a party convention in Carrickmore last night. The sitting MP was nominated and seconded by Councillors Jarlath Mc Nulty and Seán Clarke, the Council Chairs of Strabane and Omagh respectively.
Doherty reselected for West Tyrone Westminster seat
Sinn Féin vice president Pat Doherty has been reselected as the party’s Westminster Candidate for West Tyrone at a party convention in Carrickmore last night. The sitting MP was nominated and seconded by Councillors Jarlath Mc Nulty and Seán Clarke, the Council Chairs of Strabane and Omagh respectively.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:A dry night, save for a few light showers around the coasts, with prolonged clear spells and light winds bringing a frosty dawn for many in central and southern parts. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
