DUP creating confusion with Mixed Messages - Empey
Ulster Unionist Party Leader Sir Reg Empey, in a statement ahead of tomorrow’s crucial meetings at Parliament Buildings, said:
“Over the last few months the DUP has been saying that its participation in a power sharing Administration at Stormont is ‘condition led and not calendar led. They cannot therefore be surprised if people are skeptical about their motives when they perform another U turn and produce a calendar led resolution from their executive.’
‘The DUP are now saying that they want an extra six weeks after which they will share power with Sinn Fein. This is calendar led. What is the purpose of this delay and what guarantee is there that this new deadline will be met?’
‘Ulster Unionists can well understand if people are looking extra time to manage internal difficulties, even though we note that the same consideration was never extended to us by the DUP when we had divisions.’
‘The way ahead tomorrow is for a meeting of party leaders to take place so that the issues of concern to the DUP can be fleshed out and a judgment made as to whether they are serious or whether this is just another delaying stunt.’
‘There is no doubt that Sinn Fein has dragged its feet for years, and a few weeks may seem to be a small price to pay, but only if the DUP is genuine, and on that the jury is out.’
‘My other major concern is that this new crisis has placed Sinn Fein in an exceptionally strong bargaining position. As Peter Hain is on the hook of the St Andrew’s timetable, having told the world that the deadline of the 26th is real, the Secretary of State is now saying that if the parties agree he will legislate to postpone the devolution timetable. Sinn Fein’s agreement for that is required and that will only be at a price. Will it be OTRs or more Dail speaking rights? This is the downside of the DUPs playacting.’
‘There are other matters, top of which is water charges and education. If any messing around results in these issues being dealt with as Direct Rule Ministers wish, it would add up to a major betrayal of the people of Northern Ireland.’
Peter Hain is going to look very foolish if devolution is delayed and new legislation introduced in Parliament on the hope rather than expectation of devolution taking place in May. At the end of the day the decision is his and the prime Minister’s. He cannot sub contract the decision to party Leaders.
‘I suspect most people agree that Gerry Adams and Martin McGuinness are still going to be the same republicans in May as they are today.