Wednesday, August 27, 2008
“until the Executive shows that it can deal with the matters already devolved..”
A good round-up of the political parties’ reactions to yesterday’s events, and the surrounding circumstances, in this iol report. Firstly, from the SDLP’s Margaret Ritchie
“It is increasingly a manifestation of republican frustration at the failure of Sinn Féin to deliver what it promised to its own movement”
From Sinn Féin’s Pat Doherty
“Nationalists and republicans will once again be disappointed by the attitude being displayed by the SDLP.”
The DUP’s Nigel Dodds
“Any commitments that were given by the government to Sinn Féin are a matter for the government, but the DUP made the situation perfectly clear before we left St Andrews, that we had not agreed to any dates for the transfer of powers”
And the UUP’s Reg Empey
“I say again that until the Executive shows that it can deal with the matters already devolved it should not be taking on more, especially a portfolio as contentious as justice.”
And, separately, from the Alliance Party’s David Ford
“We need to see complete commitment to the democratic institution in Northern Ireland before a portfolio as serious as justice can be devolved.”
Pete Baker @ 08:50 PM
Margaret Ritchie seems to have touched a nerve :)
Posted by on Aug 27, 2008 @ 09:35 PMBut why hasn’t Sammy McDrony posted his single transferable post yet? Have the securocrats got him? Or are Slugger’s loveable Provettes having to learn that two legs are better after all? Has the dreaded Nutjobbing squad been set to work on their anxiously typing fingers? Will they all, as one, remember to assure us that black *is* white after all? Just wait and see: when SF fold, then dress that up as ‘taking yet another huge risk for peace (so give us something quick, or we’ll probably whine ourselves to death)’, the noise of the Provette chorus on Slugger praising them for their ‘courage, indefatigably’ and ‘it all being part of the plan ... on the inevitable march to almost-upon us 32 County nirvana’ will be demeaning, I mean, defeaning. Silly sods, but hell rub it up them. It’s the very least of what they deserve.
Posted by on Aug 27, 2008 @ 10:18 PMWee Reggie trying to do a ‘Trimble’ on Robbo my jockeying himself into position to the right of the DUP.
And whats this, also coming up on the right, now coming into view another diminutive figure, why its none other than Wee Davy.
What of Big Jimbo - another man to the right - no statement from him - perhaps he’s too critical of the DUP position.
Well - bit of balance and all that.
“Finally, while Peter Robinson speaks out against the possibility of an IRA/Sinn Fein Policing and Justice Minister it is important to remember that this is only part of the story. If policing and justice powers are devolved, Martin McGuinness would have equal say with Peter Robinson in the appointment of our Lord Chief Justice, our Lord Justices of Appeal, our Attorney General and would also acquire powers over the removal of judges. The IRA brutally murdered several judges. That a man who boasted of his role in the IRA leadership should have such a role is obnoxious.
Posted by on Aug 28, 2008 @ 12:35 AM“If policing and justice powers are devolved, Martin McGuinness would have equal say with Peter Robinson in the appointment of our Lord Chief Justice, our Lord Justices of Appeal, our Attorney General”
................and on the basis of past performance no-one would ever get appointed as they would never agree. A Lord Chief Justice? Lets have 4 to cover all the combinations.
But interesting to see that SF immediately focus on the true enemy in all this - the SDLP.
Posted by on Aug 28, 2008 @ 06:30 AMIt seems that at last Empey has wakened up from his slumbers and is becoming a leader with something to say. Something that actually lets everyone know where his party stands, which coincidentally is exactly that of the NI Conservatives so maybe the partnership is starting to work already.
Maybe Empey now sees himself as leader of the NI Conservative Unionist Party and as such the next First Minister or maybe his thoughts are moving towards the House of Lords instead.
Watch this space for Empey’s next moves to underscore the party’s distinction from the DUP. It will be interesting to watch how the DUP like being squeezed on all sides and how they will jump.
Posted by on Aug 28, 2008 @ 09:36 AMBut interesting to see that SF immediately focus on the true enemy in all this - the SDLP.
Cynic
Full quote to provide a bit of context (and demonstrate that Pat Doherty was responding to SDLP claims (who should be very worried by all this)):
SDLP Social Development Minister Margaret Ritchie warned the political deadlock was creating a dangerous vacuum and said the recent violence was a matter of grave concern.
“It is increasingly a manifestation of republican frustration at the failure of Sinn Féin to deliver what it promised to its own movement,” she said.
“It is increasingly clear to everyone, and in particular nationalists, that the DUP has run rings round Sinn Féin, both in the earlier negotiations and now in government - and yet Sinn Féin’s only strategy is to protest and issue threats.
“The latest Sinn Féin-inspired phoney ‘crisis’ is simply fuelling republican anger and now leading to increased dissident violence.”
With the political dispute forcing the cancellation of cabinet meetings, Ms Ritchie accused republicans of putting party policy ahead of the needs of the public.
Sinn Féin’s West Tyrone MP Pat Doherty rejected the SDLP claims.
“In recent weeks, in a desperate attempt to make themselves seem relevant, the SDLP have resorted to increasingly bitter and pathetic attacks on Sinn Féin,” he said.
“Today Margaret Ritchie criticises us for standing up for national and democratic rights; she criticises us for standing up to negative and rejectionist unionism; she criticises us for seeking to ensure that the two governments honour their Good Friday and St Andrews Agreement commitments.
“Nationalists and republicans will once again be disappointed by the attitude being displayed by the SDLP.”
Posted by on Aug 28, 2008 @ 11:22 AM
