Government proposals this week?

Speculation continues that the governments’ will release their proposals for a way forward early this week. Paul T Colgan looks at various parties potential position and finds that both of the major players in any future deal are keeping their counsel.

The joint proposals are expected to include: IRA decommissioning by Christmas (though given the amount of broken deadlines in the most recent phase of the peace process, this would seem the least reliable element), the scrapping of elections for First and Deputy First Minister, and a review of North South arrangements.

It may also include minor adjustments in the accountability of Ministers to the Assembly. However, judging by the relaxed mood of Peter Robinson in his interview with Tommy Gorman on RTE Radio’ Sunday lunchtime programme, it doesn’t appear that the DUP is under any serious pressure to agree an early deal.

Though, famously, a week is a long time in politics.

We are reader supported. Donate to keep Slugger lit!

For over 20 years, Slugger has been an independent place for debate and new ideas. We have published over 40,000 posts and over one and a half million comments on the site. Each month we have over 70,000 readers. All this we have accomplished with only volunteers we have never had any paid staff.

Slugger does not receive any funding, and we respect our readers, so we will never run intrusive ads or sponsored posts. Instead, we are reader-supported. Help us keep Slugger independent by becoming a friend of Slugger. While we run a tight ship and no one gets paid to write, we need money to help us cover our costs.

If you like what we do, we are asking you to consider giving a monthly donation of any amount, or you can give a one-off donation. Any amount is appreciated.