Paisley: Irish Government has more say over North than people of the North

DEMOCRATIC Unionist leader Ian Paisley yesterday claimed the Irish Government had given itself a role in running Northern Ireland.

“This part of the UK is not really a part of the UK, but is a part of the UK where a foreign government has more say over Northern Ireland than the people of Northern Ireland,” the North Antrim MP said.

He warned London and Dublin: “In any talks or negotiations, our decisions will be based solely on our manifesto commitments and not on anyone’s definition of our mandate. The DUP will not be forced, rushed or bullied into accepting IRA criminality. “Currently there is no evidence Sinn Féin/IRA will be any further advanced in giving up criminality in November. Given the reality that there will be no executive formed for the foreseeable future, the best way forward is to get working in the Assembly.”

Ulster Unionist leader Sir Reg Empey blamed the DUP for creating a situation whereby London and Dublin would jointly manage Northern Ireland.

“Unionists have never responded to any form of blackmail, whether it was from the IRA or Government,” the East Belfast Assembly member said. “Nevertheless a serious threat clearly exists to our future which unionists will have to address with imagination in the coming months.”

Nationalists responded cautiously to the proposals. Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams welcomed the convening of the Assembly in May, but said nationalists and republicans were sceptical as to whether the two governments would implement all other aspects of the Good Friday Agreement if the DUP refused to go into government with his party.

“Sinn Féin will also be seeking assurances from the two governments about the new joint government arrangements and the accelerated all-Ireland co-operation and action that will replace the Assembly if the DUP is not prepared to share power,” the West Belfast MP said. “Whatever the two governments do there is no going back to the days of unionist domination because Sinn Féin will not allow it.”

SDLP negotiator Sean Farren said the governments’ roadmap, had stuck pretty closely to what had already been trailed but was light on detail. The North Antrim MLA said the SDLP would take up the invitation to try to form an executive in May. However, he responded negatively to the government’s suggestions that the Assembly consider issues affecting the North before the formation of a power-sharing government.