Republicans hit out at peace process delays

Sinn Féin chairman Mitchell McLaughlin claimed today it was unacceptable to allow Unionists to set the pace for the peace process.

The British government announced last night it is to hold a review of progress ahead of intensive negotiations in September.

Mr McLaughlin said delaying all party talks was playing into the hands of the Democratic Unionist Party.

“The decision by the governments to put off intensive negotiations until September means that they have bought into the time-frame set down by the DUP,” he said.

“Once again the governments are allowing unionism to set the pace in the process. This is unacceptable.”

Downing Street confirmed British government officials will hold talks with the Irish Government next week in a bid to break the deadlock.

The planned discussions are due to be held next Friday to review progress and assess the situation before intensive negotiations in September in a bid to restart the Belfast Assembly.

The devolved assembly at Stormont was suspended in October 2002 amid allegations of an IRA spy ring operating at the Northern Ireland Office.

A review of the Agreement aimed at kick-starting the peace process and political institutions resumed on Tuesday after the European elections.

Mr McLaughlin added there was “no reason” why the two governments, Sinn Féin and the other parties could not reach agreement on a way forward by next Friday.

“Sinn Féin believes that it is possible in a short period to achieve a comprehensive and holistic package which deals with all of the outstanding matters in a way that is definitive and conclusive,” he said.

“There is no reason why the effort to resolve this should be put off for the summer.”

Mr McLaughlin was speaking at the first meeting of the party’s Ard Comhairle following their election successes.

He added there was “widespread disappointment” at the passing of the citizenship referendum, removing the right of parents of Irish-born children to claim citizenship.

He said Sinn Féin would call for full consultation before any new legislation was introduced to amend the State’s immigration laws.