Thursday, January 04, 2007
“no point proceeding unless there is clarity”
Prime Minister Tony Blair, just off the plane, has issued a statement. Full text here Updated below the fold Updated again
The full statement
I have spoken intensively to the leaders of both the DUP and Sinn Fein over the past days. Ian Paisley and Gerry Adams have made their positions clear to me, on the two crucial issues of power-sharing and support for policing, justice and the rule of law.
So let me set out my clear understanding of these positions.
I need both leaders to agree to this understanding.
Both parties have already publicly agreed to power-sharing on the basis and timeframe set out at St Andrews.
On policing, justice and the rule of law Sinn Fein will propose to their Party’s Ard Fheis that Sinn Fein commit now and fully to support the PSNI and the criminal justice system and actively encourage everyone to co-operate fully with the police services in tackling crime in all areas as well as actively supporting all the criminal justice institutions. These proposals, if committed to, and acted upon amount to the support by Sinn Fein for the rule of law, police and courts that is necessary.
For their part, the DUP require that the Sinn Fein commitments to support for the police, the courts and the rule of law are translated into action so that there is real and tangible evidence of such support. It is delivery on those commitments that creates the conditions for devolution of policing and justice to take place. When there is delivery, there will be devolution.
On the above basis the Government is in a position to facilitate the timeframe set out in para 7 of the St Andrew’s Agreement, namely on or before May 2008, provided of course that the Sinn Fein commitments are translated into action within that timeframe; and the DUP undertake it will do nothing to delay or obstruct devolution of policing and justice when those conditions are met.[added emphasis]
My view therefore is that if there is delivery by Sinn Fein of support for the police, courts and rule of law within the St Andrew’s timeframe, then there should be devolution of policing and justice within that timeframe.
It is only on this basis and with this clarity that we can proceed to an election. I am confident that both parties want to see progress and will honour their commitments.
But there is no point in proceeding unless there is such clarity.
Update As Ian points out in the comments, Sinn Féin’s Gerry Adams has stated - statement here [Added link]
The West Belfast MP said: “The core of a motion I would put to a Sinn Fein ard fheis is accurately summarised in the British prime minister’s statement today.”
And in case you missed them, a reminder of previous posts on the differences between target dates and deadlines and conditions and commitments
More It’s worth remembering what Ian Paisley has already said “the sooner we have delivery, the better for us all.”
And What he has said today
In his statement tonight, Mr Paisley said he had made it clear to Mr Blair that upfront delivery was expected from Sinn Fein.
“Sinn Fein must deliver on policing in a real and meaningful way,” the North Antrim MP stressed.
“There can be no movement unless we have clarity on the need for everyone to support the rule of law.
“The Prime Minister is well aware that we are willing to make progress on a level playing field when there is full support for and co-operation with the police.”
He reiterated: “We have remained steadfast on the need to achieve full delivery and if confidence is to be built then it is up to Sinn Fein to match their words with deeds.”
Pete Baker @ 01:43 PM
Kensei
“Or how about, you know, what Blair said?”
Already been said hence the strangeness of SF’s creation of a ‘crisis’.
Yokel
“who I have no idea if he is involved in the machincery of the DUP or not,”
Nope I’m not.
Posted by on Jan 04, 2007 @ 04:38 PMDualta,
clearly we are at the stage where the ability of the DUP leader to deliver is moving centre stage. Failure at this juncture would call into question whether what is left of the institutions envisaged by GFA can ever be implimented.
In that event Adams could take the special AF to Blair as part of a enhanced plan B.
Nationalists / Republicans would then have to go through a period of reflection /internal negotiations on the best way forward re future talks.
Posted by on Jan 04, 2007 @ 04:40 PM“Already been said hence the strangeness of SF’s creation of a ‘crisis’.”
Really? Dodd’s statement above would tend to say otherwise.
Posted by on Jan 04, 2007 @ 04:45 PMPat:
“clearly we are at the stage where the ability of the DUP leader to deliver is moving centre stage.”
Let’s see whether he slaps down Dodds for his latest inflammatory statement.
Posted by on Jan 04, 2007 @ 04:46 PMPat,
Good post. I think we may well be seeing such a scenario unfolding.
Posted by on Jan 04, 2007 @ 04:48 PMPat:
“clearly we are at the stage where the ability of the DUP leader to deliver is moving centre stage.”
Let’s see whether he slaps down Dodds for his latest highly inflammatory statement.
Posted by on Jan 04, 2007 @ 04:48 PMWhy has Adams given himself as hostage to DUP? His future actions re policing are dependent on the expressed reaction of his political opponents.His support of policing or otherwise stands or falls by the application of his Republican principles.
Posted by on Jan 04, 2007 @ 04:55 PMDodds is hammering out a well known position. This time however he wont be able to stop the tide for devolution -even if it takes until Jan 2008. Devolution is going to happen folks and it would be madness to bet against it
Posted by on Jan 04, 2007 @ 04:56 PMMick,
When Paisley missed that line out in Stormont that day. He had to clarify/reiterate later. He’s under internal pressures on all of this. Everytime the British stop leaning on him he reverts only to have to go back again when they come back to lean.
Re-read Blair…
“It is delivery on those [SF] commitments that creates the conditions for devolution of policing and justice to take place. When there is delivery, there will be devolution.”
“On the above basis the Government is in a position to facilitate the timeframe set out in para 7 of the St Andrew’s Agreement, namely on or before May 2008, provided of course that the Sinn Fein commitments are translated into action within that timeframe; and the DUP undertake it will do nothing to delay or obstruct devolution of policing and justice when those conditions are met.”
Blair said that: “I need both leaders to agree to this understanding.”
Also, if you want go back to Annex E of the Comprehensive agreement of 2004 - the DUP were meant to state:
There is a recognition that policing and justice functions should be devolved just as soon as the community confidence exists. We will dedicate ourselves to reach agreement on how such powers could be exercised.
I hope that this clarifies somewhat…
Posted by on Jan 04, 2007 @ 04:59 PMI copied the DUPs view on devolution below but before that let me say this. It is up to Sinn F to deliver.They have to be committed to the basics of any democracy. They need to deliver and deliver they will on this final hurdle which is policing.If there are any preconditions made by DUP after such a hurdle then they will have behaved honourably.The public will see this clearly and Ian P will be to blame if he doesnt deliver.
Furthermore
If Sinn Fein had been a democratic party from the first ceasefire there would have been ample time to build up trust.Problem is, looking at it from a proddy angle,would you be willing to trust those who have been quite manipulative of the system ,ballot box and armalite etc?It is this position of mistrust which still lingers in the minds of men like Dodds,who still remembers the violence of the IRA.That is still his problem and his unforgiving heart always finds him out. Paisley is a better man for all that.Nevertheless why do SF always have to be behind instead of being ahead. Get rid of the physical force activists Gerry( I believe you are doing this)and come fully into the democratic forum-clean!!!!You have everything to gain.
VOLUNTARY COALITION
The DUP contends, as it did in Devolution Now, that a Voluntary Coalition is the best form of devolution for Northern Ireland. Parties should be able to coalesce with those who are willing and legitimate. The DUP is willing to work with all democratic parties who pass the “Entry Conditions”.
As Northern Ireland’s leading and largest party we will put our energy into establishing a coalition from those parties who want to have a future free from violence, criminality and guns.
If, at present, there is not sufficient support for forming a Voluntary Coalition, we believe an interim option could be designed which, on a pre-determined date, would “go live” with executive devolution on a Voluntary Coalition basis with those parties permitted and prepared to participate.
Posted by on Jan 04, 2007 @ 05:20 PMI just copied the new year address from the Doc himself. If Gerry Adams cant see what is required then he is blind. I dont believe many nationalists have read what I have copied below and they need to-instead of listening to biased media reports. OK so it is not totally conciliatory but there is enough meat in there for Adams not to have reacted in the last 24 hours.Or,perhaps he himself didnt panic .Maybe his party members encouraged him to react to the speech.I dont know.Here it is.....
“The DUP, with characteristic bluntness, stated the obvious, that we could not envisage a situation in the foreseeable future where community confidence would exist for a Sinn Fein minister of policing and justice. Our candour disturbed some. The Government and the DUP already support the police, and want to see devolution in the proper circumstances. The Government and the DUP are already creating confidence in policing and urging people to support and cooperate with the police. Sinn Fein needs to act to create the corresponding confidence.
As a consequence of our proposals for policing and justice we have changed the context of the debate on when policing and justice powers are devolved by proposing that the minister be appointed by a cross-community vote rather than by the d’Hondt system. This would ensure that only someone who has widespread support and enjoys community confidence could hold the post. Consequently, only someone whom we support can be chosen for the post.
The DUP proposal, while acknowledging that the Assembly needs some time to bed-in, put no restrictions on when the powers could be devolved. This is achievable with delivery. Sinn Fein must honour their commitments. It is action not words that count. When they do so the DUP will not be found wanting. If the Government believes its timetable is achievable, they would do well to press with us on Sinn Fein to deliver in a real and meaningful way.
The DUP is keen to see real political progress, but it must be sound, condition-satisfied, credibly tested and quality-assured certainty that will prompt any advance. Northern Ireland cannot afford in 2007 an Assembly that stutters and sputters from crisis to suspension. What matters most is that we get it right. People want us to ensure that it is stable and built to last, and when built, that we make it work for the benefit of everyone.”
Posted by on Jan 04, 2007 @ 05:46 PMOC “The PSNI like to don the GAA togs - but when it comes to An Ghaeilge, they’ve got a bit of a blind spot.”
One piece of info. is missing from this irrelevant little rant, was the person not able to speak English? If they were then they should have the book thrown at them.
Posted by on Jan 04, 2007 @ 06:30 PM“The DUP, with characteristic bluntness....”
always with the old charteristic bluntness, eh! Wherever would they be without it? Unfortunately bluntness simply will not cut it on this occassion. What is required is clarity. Let us all hope that this necessary transformation of style does not prove too difficult for the blunt men to manage.
Posted by on Jan 04, 2007 @ 08:37 PMWhat of the suggestion tonight by ken reid on utv that there could be another AC before any decision on an AF or anything else? A second AC might allow wriggle room from the appeasing shinners?
Posted by on Jan 04, 2007 @ 08:39 PM
