DUP’s tiresome attempts at reinventing the wheel will convince no one - Sir Reg
Following on from Sinn Fein’s recapture of the Education portfolio, Ulster Unionist Leader Sir Reg Empey has said that DUP attempts to reassure Unionists will fall flat if they continue to peddle spin and half-truths as fact.
The UUP Leader commented after the DUP claimed that changes they negotiated mean all major decisions are a matter for the Executive as a whole.
In a statement, Sir Reg said: “In trying to take ownership over everything under the sun, the DUP have gone far beyond what’s believable.
“It was always a myth that departments were separate fiefdoms under control of individuals. This was never the case because all substantial decisions required money or legislation or both. Money and legislation required cross-community support.
“The DUP are trying to convince people that they’ve solved a really tricky problem. They haven’t. But they’ve hung all this on two announcements – the de Brun ‘decision’ on the RVH, and the McGuinness ‘decision’ on academic selection.”
DUP MYTH 1:
Martin McGuinness abolished academic selection.
THE TRUTH:
No devolved Minister ever took this decision. Martin McGuinness issued a press release days prior to suspension calling for an end of academic selection. The Direct Rule Administration adopted the notion and the decision was forced through at Westminster by the Secretary of State.
DUP MYTH 2:
Bairbre de Brun unilaterally located maternity services at the RVH – inside her West Belfast constituency.
THE TRUTH:
The decision would have been taken by Direct Rule Minister John McFall had devolution not occurred in late 1999. The decision was made on the advice coming from the department at that time. However, the de Brun ‘decision’ was taken because, at that time, there was no agreed Programme for Government. This was remedied some months later and consequently the decision could not have been taken at that stage without agreement.
He added: “In truth, both Ministers would have been unable to implement any decision on their own because they would need money and legislation – neither of which they would get without unionist support.
“The fact is that the current structures allow for various vetoes from each section of the community – what is true for Ian Paisley is also true for Gerry Adams and perhaps others.
”Ian Paisley is deluding himself if he thinks he’s in a position to control everything – he’s not. On a whole range of issues, he’ll need to build support among other Executive parties. The DUP are embarrassed about handing Education to Sinn Fein. Fair enough. But they don’t need to compound the embarrassment by getting the simple of facts of life for Executive decision-making completely wrong.”