Row rages over plans for North

Ian Paisley’s Democratic Unionists were today accused of promoting a grubby agenda on the Government’s security plans for Northern Ireland and equality.

As unionists continued to protest at plans to scrap the battalions of the Royal Irish Regiment based in the North and the tearing down of military fortifications, SDLP member John Dallat urged the British government not to give in to the DUP’s demands.

He argued: “The British government must not indulge this grubby agenda. The DUP oppose the demolition of lookout towers. Yet these outdated towers serve no security purpose.

“The British government admitted as much when they agreed two years ago to demolish them all. The only reason they are not already gone is because the IRA dragged its heels about ending all activity. So how can the DUP seriously argue that these ugly towers should stay now?

“As for the RIR, it was never meant to last longer than the Troubles have. And it is totally abnormal to have a military force drawn almost totally from one side of the community.

“Is the DUP seriously expecting taxpayers to waste money on this? Does the DUP not accept that this money is much more urgently needed for our health services – or even for the PSNI?”

Unionists were incensed on Monday when Northern Ireland Secretary Peter Hain announced plans to reduce troop levels in the North from 10,500 soldiers to a peace time garrison of 5,000 in two years.

The British government published its demilitarisation plan on Monday following last week’s announcement by the IRA that it is ending its armed campaign.

Work has already begun on dismantling Army observation towers in south Armagh, west Belfast and Derry.

Officials also intend to end the practice of Army back-up for police patrols within two years.

However unionists believe these moves are premature, coming only on the back of words from the IRA.

Mr Dallat also noted DUP criticism of recent appointments to public bodies and in particular the appointments of former Women’s Coalition Assembly member Monica McWilliams and ex-RTE director general Bob Collins to head the Human Rights and Equality Commissions respectively.

“The DUP also demand that their cronies be appointed to all public bodies,” the SDLP chief whip said.

“Why the DUP thinks that it should have this special right is beyond belief. If this is the DUP’s agenda before it will enter into government, people must rightly fear what their agenda in government will be like.”