Sinn Fein challenges unionists on equality
David Trimble’s Ulster Unionists were today urged to acknowledge the need to ensure equal treatment for Northern Ireland’s Catholic and Protestant communities under the Good Friday Agreement.
Former Sinn Fein health minister Bairbre de Brun expressed concern about the comments of a former Cabinet colleague in the Stormont Executive, Dermot Nesbitt, that there was no need for an Equality Commission in the North.
Ms de Brun argued today: “Commitments in the Good Friday Agreement to measures such as those aimed at eliminating the differential in unemployment rates between the Protestant and Catholic communities must be implemented.
“All parties to the Agreement are obliged to be actively engaged in promoting the equality agenda.
“We are concerned, therefore, at the refusal of the Ulster Unionist Party to attend the recent implementation group meeting on equality and human rights.
“We are also disappointed to hear a UUP spokesperson, Dermot Nesbitt, repeat previous claims that there is no discrimination in the six counties and that there is no need for an Equality Commission or for state action to address the unemployment differential.
“The most recent report on Community Differentials and Targeting Social Needs states that Catholics are still less likely to be in employment, are at greater risk of living in lower income households and/or are more dependent on benefits as well as at greater risk of experiencing multiple deprivation.”
The West Belfast MLA said there was a need for the British government to deliver on its commitment on equality in the Good Friday Agreement.
The Ulster Unionists, she claimed, had presided over “systematic discrimination” for decades when they formed a one-party government in the early years of the Northern Ireland state.
She continued: “Some Ulster Unionist Party spokespersons appear to be oblivious to the injustice that they inflicted on the people, including both Catholics and Protestants living in areas affected by discrimination and inequality.
“Institutional neglect must be tackled so that our people, irrespective of creed or political opinion, are afforded equality in all aspects of their lives.”
As efforts continue to revive the Northern Ireland power-sharing executive and Assembly, Sinn Fein has pressed for the British government to pledge it will honour its commitment on equality under the Good Friday Agreement.
The party has also been pressing hard for more policing reforms, the dismantling of British army watchtowers in republican areas, an amnesty for paramilitaries who have been on the run, and for commitments on human rights and the Irish language to be delivered.
However, with devolution having collapsed last October under the weight of allegations that the IRA operated a spying ring at Stormont, the paramilitary group is under pressure to make substantial moves on disarmament and a declaration that paramilitary activity will cease.
Pro-Good Friday Agreement parties are expected to join the British and Irish governments at a round table meeting at Stormont on Thursday aimed at restoring devolution.
However, the Ulster Unionists and the loyalist Progressive Unionists will boycott the talks.
The UUP has expressed dissatisfaction with the round table discussion, insisting the real negotiations focusing on the future of the IRA are taking place in Downing Street and are more important.
The PUP has decided not to attend because it insists it is being shut out of the Downing Street talks with republicans.
