Power-sharing plan hits trouble over Sinn Féin fears

TAOISEACH Bertie Ahern and British Prime Minister Tony Blair’s plans to revive power-sharing in Northern Ireland appeared to be in trouble last night as nationalists raised concerns about the proposal.

Sinn Féin negotiators were involved in a tense meeting with Irish officials after one of the party’s TDs, Caoimghin Ó Caoláin, said the party had some concerns about the package of proposals.

Mr Blair also presented Democratic Unionist leader Ian Paisley with the British Government’s plans during the meeting in Downing Street.

But nationalist SDLP leader Mark Durkan last night went on the offensive against the proposals, telling a debate in University College, Dublin, the DUP was given a veto under the proposal on nationalist ministers. Mr Durkan expressed alarm at the proposals that the joint election in the Northern Ireland Assembly for First and Deputy First ministers would be replaced by a vote at Stormont for the entire executive.

“When the SDLP negotiated the Agreement, we ensured that no party could veto any other party’s ministerial appointments.

“Now the DUP can politically vet the lot. Nationalists won’t have the last say on who they appoint as ministers. The DUP will.”

The British and Irish governments were hoping their proposal would help pave the way for the revival of power-sharing and significant moves by the IRA on disarmaments and its future.