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07/01/2014
Haass Rejections 'Shows Disdain' - Alliance
The Alliance Party has criticised the UUP over its rejection of proposals drawn up by US diplomat Richard Haass.
On Monday, UUP leader Mike Nesbitt said the plans on some of Northern Ireland's most contentious issues were "not viable and therefore not acceptable".
This prompted a response from the Alliance Party's Stephen Farry who said the rejection "shows disdain for the people of Northern Ireland."
In a statement, he claimed the UUP were sending mixed signals regarding their response.
"Less than a week ago, he [Nesbitt] was clearly indicating his intention that the UUP would be giving a positive response.
"So either he was being disingenuous or he is a willing captive of the extreme elements in our society that are simply not prepared to compromise for the greater good. In particular, the UUP must now explain where it stands on the rule of law and a shared society."
The UUP met on Monday evening to discuss its response Haass' proposals. Speaking to the media afterwards, Mr Nesbitt said that the document was not acceptable, but "neither is the status quo".
He later added: "We have to find a better and fairer way forward for the people of Northern Ireland, not least so we can move on and discuss the economy and education and health and housing, which is where we in the Ulster Unionist Party wanted us to be in 2014."
The comments followed the publication a two-page summary of Dr Haass and co-chair Professor Meghan O'Sullivan's proposal blueprint.
In the plan, it said that the implementation of the proposals "would leave the people of Northern Ireland considerably better off than they are today by tackling the difficult issues that continue to divide society."
Last year, Haass set a Christmas deadline to resolve issues surrounding parades, flags and the legacy of the Troubles, but on New Year's Eve, months of negotiations passed without an agreement between NI's five main political parties.
(JP)
On Monday, UUP leader Mike Nesbitt said the plans on some of Northern Ireland's most contentious issues were "not viable and therefore not acceptable".
This prompted a response from the Alliance Party's Stephen Farry who said the rejection "shows disdain for the people of Northern Ireland."
In a statement, he claimed the UUP were sending mixed signals regarding their response.
"Less than a week ago, he [Nesbitt] was clearly indicating his intention that the UUP would be giving a positive response.
"So either he was being disingenuous or he is a willing captive of the extreme elements in our society that are simply not prepared to compromise for the greater good. In particular, the UUP must now explain where it stands on the rule of law and a shared society."
The UUP met on Monday evening to discuss its response Haass' proposals. Speaking to the media afterwards, Mr Nesbitt said that the document was not acceptable, but "neither is the status quo".
He later added: "We have to find a better and fairer way forward for the people of Northern Ireland, not least so we can move on and discuss the economy and education and health and housing, which is where we in the Ulster Unionist Party wanted us to be in 2014."
The comments followed the publication a two-page summary of Dr Haass and co-chair Professor Meghan O'Sullivan's proposal blueprint.
In the plan, it said that the implementation of the proposals "would leave the people of Northern Ireland considerably better off than they are today by tackling the difficult issues that continue to divide society."
Last year, Haass set a Christmas deadline to resolve issues surrounding parades, flags and the legacy of the Troubles, but on New Year's Eve, months of negotiations passed without an agreement between NI's five main political parties.
(JP)
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