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Rival parties reject latest DUP proposals

February 16, 2011

By Staff Reporter

Its “Devolution Now” document would restore Northern Ireland’s elected Assembly, without a power-sharing executive or ministers. It has been rejected by both the SDLP and Sinn Fein, although, behind the scenes, is being given serious consideration by all sides.
The DUP said that the proposal is the only workable model in the short to medium term to restore devolution into local hands. It has been welcomed as a useful contribution by London and Dublin.
The DUP said that its first choice would be a voluntary coalition, but this is unlikely as the SDLP is unwilling to acquiesce to anything that falls short of the inclusivity principle contained in the Good Friday agreement.
Its second choice would be a mandatory coalition, possibly involving Sinn Fein (as proposed in the agreement), but this is would not be acceptable to the DUP unless the IRA decommissions and disbands.
The DUP said this offers Sinn Fein an incentive to pursue IRA decommissioning.
Its third option, and the only one possible in the short term, said the DUP, would be for the Assembly as a whole to govern Northern Ireland. The legislative body would have two separate voting methods, normal and key votes. The second would require a 70 percent weighted majority of members’ support.
Given the current arithmetic, the 70 percent requirement would preserve the DUP veto power, while removing the same veto currently enjoyed by Sinn Fein. The DUP is also proposing to cut the assembly to 72 (ostensibly for cost-cutting purposes). This proposal, however, also serves the DUP’s interests.
Sinn Fein’s Martin McGuinness said: “The DUP in their document explicitly demand a new agreement. There will be no renegotiation. These proposals are clearly about a return to Unionist majority rule.
“This is not acceptable. Sinn Fein will not allow a return to the misrule and abuse of power that was the hallmark of Unionist rule in the past.”
However, over the weekend, McGuinness described the DUP ideas as “a shift by that party from the “Never Never-land” politics that they have inhabited for decades.”
He added that said the proposals brought “the DUP into the ballpark of Good Friday agreement politics.”
Sinn F

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