Government fails to defend rights of nationalists, claims McGuinness

THE Government is failing to defend the rights of nationalists in Northern Ireland by refusing to negotiate on key issues, Sinn Féin chief negotiator Martin McGuinness said yesterday.

Addressing his party’s Árd Fheis, Mr McGuinness said it was disappointing to hear the Government say there would be no more talks aimed at breaking the impasse on the issues of functioning political institutions and demilitarisation.

“Surely their role should be to defend Irish national rights and the rights of Irish citizens North and South rather than try to set limits or boundaries on forward progress,” he said. Focusing on the key issue of policing, Mr McGuinness said there had also been steady progress towards ensuring the police service is democratically accountable and representative.