This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/northern_ireland/7615535.stm
The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Previous version
1
Next version
Version 0 | Version 1 |
---|---|
O'Dowd warns not enough progress | O'Dowd warns not enough progress |
(about 1 hour later) | |
A senior Sinn Féin member has warned that talks with the DUP have not seen enough progress for Thursday's planned meeting of the executive to go ahead. | A senior Sinn Féin member has warned that talks with the DUP have not seen enough progress for Thursday's planned meeting of the executive to go ahead. |
The Stormont Executive has not met over the summer months, amid rows about delays in devolving justice powers. | The Stormont Executive has not met over the summer months, amid rows about delays in devolving justice powers. |
MLA John O'Dowd said: "What we want is a partnership government. To hold an executive meeting in the absence of that is only playing to the optics." | MLA John O'Dowd said: "What we want is a partnership government. To hold an executive meeting in the absence of that is only playing to the optics." |
Prime Minister Gordon Brown is to meet NI politicians in Belfast on Tuesday. | Prime Minister Gordon Brown is to meet NI politicians in Belfast on Tuesday. |
DUP leader Peter Robinson last month warned of "serious consequences" if the Executive meeting does not take place on Thursday. | DUP leader Peter Robinson last month warned of "serious consequences" if the Executive meeting does not take place on Thursday. |
He was reacting to remarks by Sinn Féin TD CaoimhghÃn à Caoláin that his party would collapse the assembly unless there was progress on the devolution of policing and justice. | He was reacting to remarks by Sinn Féin TD CaoimhghÃn à Caoláin that his party would collapse the assembly unless there was progress on the devolution of policing and justice. |
His colleague Mr O'Dowd told the BBC's Politics Show on Sunday: "The final decision rests with the joint ministers of Martin McGuinness and Peter Robinson, but in my opinion I do not believe there has been enough progress made towards partnership government for an executive meeting this week." | His colleague Mr O'Dowd told the BBC's Politics Show on Sunday: "The final decision rests with the joint ministers of Martin McGuinness and Peter Robinson, but in my opinion I do not believe there has been enough progress made towards partnership government for an executive meeting this week." |
However, the Sinn Féin assembly member added that he hoped progress could be made in the coming days. | However, the Sinn Féin assembly member added that he hoped progress could be made in the coming days. |
'Crisis situation' | |
DUP junior minister Jeffrey Donaldson insisted progress had been made, such as last month's announcement of an agreed format for a new justice ministry, with a single minister to lead a single department, rather than a joint office. | DUP junior minister Jeffrey Donaldson insisted progress had been made, such as last month's announcement of an agreed format for a new justice ministry, with a single minister to lead a single department, rather than a joint office. |
"For some reason that I cannot understand, after that agreement Sinn Féin then set about creating a crisis situation that no-one out there wants," he said. | "For some reason that I cannot understand, after that agreement Sinn Féin then set about creating a crisis situation that no-one out there wants," he said. |
"We cannot afford a crisis - there are elderly people who cannot afford a loaf of bread, never mind afford a crisis." | "We cannot afford a crisis - there are elderly people who cannot afford a loaf of bread, never mind afford a crisis." |
Meanwhile, the SDLP's social development minister, Margaret Ritchie, said Sinn Féin had created a "bogus crisis" which must end. | |
"I have been trying to get important housing and welfare proposals through the executive for some months, but Sinn Féin has stopped all executive meetings," she said. | |
"I have also been working all summer on urgent proposals to alleviate fuel poverty this winter. | |
"It is absolutely essential that the fuel poverty package is considered at the executive meeting scheduled for this Thursday - Sinn Féin must let that meeting take place." |
Previous version
1
Next version