Critical two months ahead
The absolute deadline for the restoration of devolved government to N.Ireland is only about 8 weeks away and there is little sign that the DUP (the biggest party, Paisley controlled) is going to move towards Sinn Fein (Adams controlled) in the marriage that is necessary.
Both Irish and British Governments have said that failure will mean that the people of N Ireland will remain without local representation for perhaps another generation. And this, to me, means that the continuing political vacuum will breed disenchantment on the ground.
The absence of healthy dialogue, debate and decision making locally leaves the door open to the armed men to pursue their own agenda.
Sinn Fein also needs to embrace the concept of the Police-PSNI. The DUP has said that this embrace is a deal-maker.
There is a deal of eye balling going on- a "who moves first" type of situation.
However this has happened before but the last minute deal has tended to fail with neither side blinking.
The DUP needs to hear that Sinn Fein will support the Police. And Sinn Fein needs to hear that they are now accepted by the DUP by virtue of their electoral mandate.Those statements are at the centre of the debate.
The British and Irish Governments have, up to now, been pointing out the benefits to all if the parties reach agreement as well as the danger of political vacuum locally without agreement.
However, some commentators are saying that there is a need for the Governments to spell out the alternative to a deal. In very real terms.
And if it is to be Joint Authority - Dublin and London - ruling the North- then parties (and the people) ought to know!
Thats might make the alternative to a "no deal" simply awful to both DUP and Sinn Fein.
Any comments from the 2006 Institute?
Both Irish and British Governments have said that failure will mean that the people of N Ireland will remain without local representation for perhaps another generation. And this, to me, means that the continuing political vacuum will breed disenchantment on the ground.
The absence of healthy dialogue, debate and decision making locally leaves the door open to the armed men to pursue their own agenda.
Sinn Fein also needs to embrace the concept of the Police-PSNI. The DUP has said that this embrace is a deal-maker.
There is a deal of eye balling going on- a "who moves first" type of situation.
However this has happened before but the last minute deal has tended to fail with neither side blinking.
The DUP needs to hear that Sinn Fein will support the Police. And Sinn Fein needs to hear that they are now accepted by the DUP by virtue of their electoral mandate.Those statements are at the centre of the debate.
The British and Irish Governments have, up to now, been pointing out the benefits to all if the parties reach agreement as well as the danger of political vacuum locally without agreement.
However, some commentators are saying that there is a need for the Governments to spell out the alternative to a deal. In very real terms.
And if it is to be Joint Authority - Dublin and London - ruling the North- then parties (and the people) ought to know!
Thats might make the alternative to a "no deal" simply awful to both DUP and Sinn Fein.
Any comments from the 2006 Institute?
posted by Raymond at 6:59 PM
1 Comments:
Thanks for the post, Raymond. Sorry for the delayed response. It must be football season here.
I'm not in much of a position to comment, other than to simply agree that this game of political chicken does not augur well for the democratic political process/institutions in NI. I do have some questions, though.
How are the armed men responding to the impasse? Are the recent moves by "dissident" republicans directly related?
In addition, how have the loyalist paramilitaries responded? Can they use this as an opportunity to make themselves look good vis-a-vis mainline loyalism?
Best,
JM
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