Menu
09/08/2001
Future of devolved NI government hangs in the balance
Despite an IRA’s statement confirming an agreed a scheme with the decommissioning body to put arms completely and verifiably beyond use, the political climate in Northern Ireland far from cooling down, seems to be hotting up.
The Ulster Unionist Party have declared that although the IRA statement is significant, they say it doesn’t go far enough. The Democratic Unionist Party have also echoed this claiming that the statement does not indicate when the IRA will disarm and if indeed they will sacrifice all arms.
Meanwhile both the SDLP and Sinn Féin have welcomed the statement, with Sinn Féin urging unionists to leave the decommissioning issue to General de Chastelain.
With only hours before the Secretary of State must choose whether to dissolve the assembly, crisis talks took place late on Thursday afternoon with Sinn Féin and the Ulster Unionist Party meeting Northern Ireland Secretary of State Dr John Reid separate talks.
The options available to the Secretary of State under the Northern Ireland legislature, created by the Good Friday Agreement (1998) are wide ranging with varying degrees of potential impact. Dr Reid could:
· dissolve the assembly and call an election
· call a one-day suspension and gain six weeks for talks
· impose an unlimited suspension and call a review
· combination of suspension, review or election
· try to find another way forward
With June’s double election results showing votes gravitating towards the extreme Sinn Féin and DUP margins, the Ulster Unionist Party will not favour fresh elections, as would the SDLP.
However with none of the pro-Agreement parties accepting the Anglo-Irish package of proposals it seems the most likely move would be to suspend the institutions for one day, allowing all sides six weeks in which to search for a way forward.
Ultimately if the parties want the Northern Ireland Assembly to survive in its current form, they have to elect a first and deputy first minister before midnight on Saturday August 11.
However, the legislation stipulates that due to summer recess, the parties can only be recalled if given 24 hours notice. With the Secretary of State’s mind not made up, British Prime Minister Tony Blair on holiday and time running out, it remains unclear what the next few days will bring. (AMcE)
The Ulster Unionist Party have declared that although the IRA statement is significant, they say it doesn’t go far enough. The Democratic Unionist Party have also echoed this claiming that the statement does not indicate when the IRA will disarm and if indeed they will sacrifice all arms.
Meanwhile both the SDLP and Sinn Féin have welcomed the statement, with Sinn Féin urging unionists to leave the decommissioning issue to General de Chastelain.
With only hours before the Secretary of State must choose whether to dissolve the assembly, crisis talks took place late on Thursday afternoon with Sinn Féin and the Ulster Unionist Party meeting Northern Ireland Secretary of State Dr John Reid separate talks.
The options available to the Secretary of State under the Northern Ireland legislature, created by the Good Friday Agreement (1998) are wide ranging with varying degrees of potential impact. Dr Reid could:
· dissolve the assembly and call an election
· call a one-day suspension and gain six weeks for talks
· impose an unlimited suspension and call a review
· combination of suspension, review or election
· try to find another way forward
With June’s double election results showing votes gravitating towards the extreme Sinn Féin and DUP margins, the Ulster Unionist Party will not favour fresh elections, as would the SDLP.
However with none of the pro-Agreement parties accepting the Anglo-Irish package of proposals it seems the most likely move would be to suspend the institutions for one day, allowing all sides six weeks in which to search for a way forward.
Ultimately if the parties want the Northern Ireland Assembly to survive in its current form, they have to elect a first and deputy first minister before midnight on Saturday August 11.
However, the legislation stipulates that due to summer recess, the parties can only be recalled if given 24 hours notice. With the Secretary of State’s mind not made up, British Prime Minister Tony Blair on holiday and time running out, it remains unclear what the next few days will bring. (AMcE)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
28 November 2003
SF election candidate in police controversy
Lagan Valley Sinn Féin representative Paul Butler was at the centre of controversy today after his election motorcade was stopped by police following acting on information that one of the vehicles had been stolen in the Irish Republic.
SF election candidate in police controversy
Lagan Valley Sinn Féin representative Paul Butler was at the centre of controversy today after his election motorcade was stopped by police following acting on information that one of the vehicles had been stolen in the Irish Republic.
05 July 2017
SDLP Supports Calls For Stormont Pay Freeze During Talks Delay
The endless delay in Stormont talks is not down to detail, but "narrow party political interest", according to SDLP leader, Colum Eastwood. Mr Eastwood described the latest "pause" announced in Executive talks as "depressing" but said that no-one will be surprised by it, least of all the public.
SDLP Supports Calls For Stormont Pay Freeze During Talks Delay
The endless delay in Stormont talks is not down to detail, but "narrow party political interest", according to SDLP leader, Colum Eastwood. Mr Eastwood described the latest "pause" announced in Executive talks as "depressing" but said that no-one will be surprised by it, least of all the public.
28 October 2003
UUP cancel Ruling Council meeting
A meeting of the Ulster Unionist Party's Ruling Council has been cancelled because of a failure to reach a deal with republicans. Party officers met at Cunningham House on Monday night and decided to call off the meeting which was due to take place on Wednesday in the Ramada Hotel in Belfast.
UUP cancel Ruling Council meeting
A meeting of the Ulster Unionist Party's Ruling Council has been cancelled because of a failure to reach a deal with republicans. Party officers met at Cunningham House on Monday night and decided to call off the meeting which was due to take place on Wednesday in the Ramada Hotel in Belfast.
16 November 2018
Brexit Deal May Lead To Review Of DUP-Tory Pact
The DUP will review its confidence and supply agreement with the Conservative party if Prime Minister Theresa May's Brexit deal passes, Sir Jeffrey Donaldson has warned.
Brexit Deal May Lead To Review Of DUP-Tory Pact
The DUP will review its confidence and supply agreement with the Conservative party if Prime Minister Theresa May's Brexit deal passes, Sir Jeffrey Donaldson has warned.
06 March 2017
NI Secretary To Meet With Stormont Party Leaders
Northern Ireland Secretary James Brokenshire is to meet with Stormont party leaders to discuss forming a new power-sharing Executive. The DUP secured 28 seats and Sinn Fein took 27 seats following Thursday's election results.
NI Secretary To Meet With Stormont Party Leaders
Northern Ireland Secretary James Brokenshire is to meet with Stormont party leaders to discuss forming a new power-sharing Executive. The DUP secured 28 seats and Sinn Fein took 27 seats following Thursday's election results.
-
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.
