DUP leader Peter Robinson and Sinn Fein's Martin McGuinness are holding a crucial meeting in Belfast today
that could determine whether the Northern Executive and Assembly can be saved from collapse. 26-County
Taoiseach Brian Cowen and British prime minister Gordon Brown are also meeting at Downing Street this afternoon.
Sinn Fein is still seeking the transfer of policing and justice powers to the Stormont administration while the DUP
leader demands various preconditions, including the abolition of the Parades Commission. Sinn Fein president
Gerry Adams revealed the talks effectively ended on Wednesday night and he accused the Democratic Unionists
of "playing the orange card" by demanding concessions on sectarian parades.
There appeared to be a growing awareness in Dublin and London that Sinn Fein is now seeking to end the
discussion over policing and justice which began in 2006. The party said on Saturday it was seeking a final
'defining' meeting with the DUP.
>>>> Sinn Féin News, January 23, 2010
Statement from Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams MP, MLA:
"Equality and partnership are
central to all of this"
January 23, 2010
The Ard Chomhairle has been meeting throughout the day and Martin McGuinness and I have been briefing
colleagues on the detail of the recent discussions with the DUP.
It would have been our hope when the Ard Comhairle was originally put back two weeks ago that we would
have had something positive in terms of a resolution of current difficulties to put to this meeting.
Unfortunately we are not in that position despite my very firm view that with the necessary political
will all of these matters could and should have been sorted out before now.
Within three months of the St Andrews Agreement, Sinn Féin had held an Ard Fheis on policing and had
fulfilled our obligations. That was three years ago and we are waiting on the DUP to honour theirs.
The failure thus far by the DUP to honour this St. Andrews obligation is symptomatic of a much bigger
problem - their refusal to work partnership government, and in particular to work the office of OFM/dFM
properly. The only agreement worth reaching is one which deals with this core issue. The political
institutions can work and can deliver – but only if they function on the basis they were established.
They are not sustainable otherwise.
Equality and partnership are central to all of this.
Our negotiating team has been given a very specific brief. Martin McGuinness will be seeking an urgent
meeting with Peter Robinson. This will be a critical and defining engagement.
The two Governments have been in touch with us last night. The Governments, who are the guarantors of the
St Andrews and Good Friday Agreements, are also in default in outstanding issues. Particularly equality
issues like Irish language rights and North/South structures.
The governments need to set a date for transfer now. Martin spoke to the British Prime Minister and to
a senior official in the Taoiseach’s Department. But let me say, the governments are not referees in this;
they are guarantors with responsibilities and obligations. We will of course meet them but it is in the
context of them coming forward with a date.
Much of the commentary around this issue has been characterized by talk of Sinn Fein collapsing, or forcing
an election. This is not about Sinn Fein hyping things up. This is not a game of poker. If the institutions
are not working and not delivering – then they become pointless and unsustainable. What we are about
is fixing the problems and returning to the basis upon which these institutions were established –
Good Friday Agreement and St Andrews Agreement.
If that is not possible then no self respecting public representative or political party would want to
be part of what would be nothing less than a charade.”
