Sinn Féin and DUP told to 'stop the mud-slinging'

The Democratic Unionists and Sinn Féin must end the process of insult and accusation if they are serious about achieving power-sharing in the North, both parties were told tonight.

As members of the Stormont Assembly’s Preparation for Government Committee prepared for their first meeting tomorrow since Taoiseach Bertie Ahern and British prime minister Tony Blair's visit to Belfast, SDLP senior negotiator Sean Farren said both parties needed to prove they were serious about devolution.

“It is time for parties to get real,” the former Stormont finance minister said.

“In particular, it is time for both Sinn Féin and the DUP to end the process of insult and accusation that has characterised their contributions to the committee since it commenced business a month ago.

“Further indulgence in such an approach will only widen gaps and convince no one that either party is serious about wanting political institutions restored.

“If both parties are serious about achieving devolution then they must start using the opportunities provided by the committee and the Assembly and work with others to create the conditions that will secure restoration.”

Following talks at Stormont last week with five of the Assembly parties, Mr Blair and Mr Ahern warned that failure to secure a power-sharing administration by the November 24 deadline would amount to the biggest lost opportunity in a generation by politicians in the North.

The two leaders outlined a work plan and timetable to help Assembly members achieve devolution.

However, the task facing them is considerable, with the DUP still refusing to go into government with Sinn Féin because it is not convinced yet that republicans are totally committed to peaceful and democratic means.

The Stormont Preparation for Government Committee has been asked to identify key issues which need to be addressed if obstacles between the parties are to be overcome and the North is to have a devolved government.

However, since it was set up last month by Northern Secretary Peter Hain, the committee has been marred by bitter rows between Sinn Féin and the DUP.

Mr Hain had to step in and appoint the Assembly’s two deputy speakers to chair meetings of the committee after a week-long wrangle over how it should be chaired.

Mr Farren stressed the role the committee could play in presenting proposals for an economic package to bolster a revived power-sharing executive.

“For more than two years all of the parties have been involved in roundtable discussions with the Business Alliance on options for an economic package and have agreed some of its basic elements,” the North Antrim MLA. Said.

“It should now be possible to move on and agree more of the details and present the final package to the British and Irish governments.

“Unless we are prepared to be real and follow the time plan set out by both governments then it would be better to end now what would clearly be a pretence rather than wait until November.”