DUP warns over power-sharing

Sinn Féin or the British government will be at fault if there is any delay to power-sharing in the North, the Democratic Unionists insisted today.

As the Rev Ian Paisley’s party continued to resist demands for it to commit itself now to power-sharing by March 26, its Assembly Election manifesto said any decision it made would hinge on republicans proving their support for the police, the courts and the rule of law.

But the 64-page document also warned British chancellor Gordon Brown that the size of the final financial package he offered to a future Stormont executive would also determine if devolution returned.

In a reiteration of the statement issued by the DUP executive last November, the manifesto said: “Republicans know what they need to do.

“Sinn Féin making support for policing and the rule of law conditional on them being in government may satisfy Peter Hain but it is not sufficient for the DUP or the people of Northern Ireland who have borne the brunt of decades of republican attack on the rule of law.

“There must be upfront and proven delivery. There can be no cherry-picking of policing functions to support.”

The DUP added: “The restoration of devolution will not be delayed by the DUP.

“It will only be delayed if republicans or the (British) government do not deliver on their commitments and obligations.”

The British government has been accused of offering little in the way of new funds in Mr Brown’s offer last November of £50bn (€74.5bn) over 10 years to the North’s politicians in the event of power-sharing returning.

The DUP said today the resolution of this issue was a precondition to the formation of a devolved government.

And while its manifesto trumpeted what has been achieved since the DUP became the largest party at Stormont four years ago, it also restated its opposition to water charges and a new rating system for the North.

The party demanded:

:: Voluntary metering for all households should water charges go ahead, an end to the system of basing bills on the capital value of homes, and all charges to be no higher than the average in England and Wales;

:: Changes to the rating system, ending the current practice of making the capital value of homes the basis for calculating what people pay, and a more generous rates cap for senior citizens and other vulnerable groups;

:: A cut in the rate of Corporation Tax to entice foreign investors, other fiscal incentives to foster research and development, a cap on industrial rates, a simplified tax and benefits system, reduced business banking charges, and lower fuel duty;

:: A new method of testing based on ability for schools such as computer adaptive testing, extra resources for special educational needs, support for small schools especially in rural communities, and an end to preferential funding for Irish language or integrated schools;

:: The training, recruitment and retention of more health service staff, reduced NHS bureaucracy and streamlined decision-making, a focus on health promotion, early intervention and prevention of illness at community level, and a range of initiatives at individual, community and province-wide levels to reduce suicide;

:: A more joined-up approach across government departments to tackle housing problems, the development of land to provide new low-cost homes for local people, and enabling people to buy their own homes;

:: A reduction in agricultural red tape, the development of the North as a centre of excellence for renewable energy, support for the fishing industry such as tie-up aid, and the extension and enhancement of the warm homes scheme to cut energy bills and carbon emissions;

:: Long-term sustainable funding for victims’ groups, and a fund for Ulster Defence Regiment soldiers equivalent to the money for those who served in the Royal Ulster Constabulary;

:: Legislation tackling discrimination against the elderly, the creation of a Commissioner for Older People, the reduction of means-testing to encourage senior citizens to claim benefits they are entitled to, more domiciliary, residential and nursing home places and better respite provision, more support for patients with Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia, and stiffer sentences for those who attack and rob the elderly;

:: A devolved or junior minister dealing with children’s issues, greater inter-agency co-operation and information exchange for not only child protection but prevention, more accommodation options for young people in care, and initiatives to combat bullying;

:: Stiff minimum sentences for sectarian and racist crimes, the provision of enough resources for the Serious Organised Crime Agency, sentences which reflect the seriousness of car crimes, upholding the right of Loyal Marching Orders to parade, and more funding for loyalist community festivals.