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10/05/2006
Sinn Fein to nominate Paisley for First Minister
Sinn Fein President Gerry Adams has revealed that he is to nominate the Reverend Ian Paisley for the post of First Minister when Northern Ireland's Assembly is reconvened next week.
The 108 MLA's are due to gather at Stormont next Monday, May 15, after the suspension of the assembly in October 2002 following allegations of a republican spy ring.
The parties will then be being given six weeks to elect an executive.
Since 2002, the Republican party have worked towards re-establishing the power sharing assembly under the terms of the Good Friday Agreement, however after almost four years without a local executive, it is understood that Mr Adams feels that the Assembly proposal by the British government is an inferior one to that previously operated.
Speaking to his Sinn Fein Stormont team earlier today, Gerry Adams said: "After a thorough discussion we have agreed very strict guidelines and conditions for our party's participation in the Peter Hain Assembly.
"Consequently, our focus will be on the restoration of the institutions. So, I intend to nominate the Reverend Ian Paisley and Martin McGuinness for the position of First and Deputy First Ministers.
"If this is unsuccessful we will seek to return to this business at the earliest possible time.
"We will also participate in a business committee to ensure that the election of the First and Deputy First Minister and any business for the urgent preparation of the restoration of government is discussed by the Assembly."
However, it is expected that the DUP will refuse to choose a first minister when the assembly reconvenes without full devolution, leaving the process in a deadlock situation.
On May 23, it is understood that an attempt will be made to elect a first and deputy first minister.
Last month, the British and Irish Prime Ministers unveiled their blueprint for the restoration of devolution.
In a joint statement, the premiers said that if the parties fail to elect an executive, the MLA's will be given a further 12 weeks to try to form an all-party devolved government.
If this attempt fails, then all 108 members will have their salaries stopped.
(EF/SP)
The 108 MLA's are due to gather at Stormont next Monday, May 15, after the suspension of the assembly in October 2002 following allegations of a republican spy ring.
The parties will then be being given six weeks to elect an executive.
Since 2002, the Republican party have worked towards re-establishing the power sharing assembly under the terms of the Good Friday Agreement, however after almost four years without a local executive, it is understood that Mr Adams feels that the Assembly proposal by the British government is an inferior one to that previously operated.
Speaking to his Sinn Fein Stormont team earlier today, Gerry Adams said: "After a thorough discussion we have agreed very strict guidelines and conditions for our party's participation in the Peter Hain Assembly.
"Consequently, our focus will be on the restoration of the institutions. So, I intend to nominate the Reverend Ian Paisley and Martin McGuinness for the position of First and Deputy First Ministers.
"If this is unsuccessful we will seek to return to this business at the earliest possible time.
"We will also participate in a business committee to ensure that the election of the First and Deputy First Minister and any business for the urgent preparation of the restoration of government is discussed by the Assembly."
However, it is expected that the DUP will refuse to choose a first minister when the assembly reconvenes without full devolution, leaving the process in a deadlock situation.
On May 23, it is understood that an attempt will be made to elect a first and deputy first minister.
Last month, the British and Irish Prime Ministers unveiled their blueprint for the restoration of devolution.
In a joint statement, the premiers said that if the parties fail to elect an executive, the MLA's will be given a further 12 weeks to try to form an all-party devolved government.
If this attempt fails, then all 108 members will have their salaries stopped.
(EF/SP)
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