Republicans must deliver says DUP

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The Democratic Unionist Party has again insisted on upfront delivery by republicans before it will share power.

DUP leader Ian Paisley said devolution would not be delayed by his party.

He said any delay would be because republicans or the government had not met all their obligations.

Speaking at the launch of the DUP manifesto on Wednesday, North Belfast MP Nigel Dodds said it was about: "Delivery, delivery, delivery."

Mr Paisley deflected questions about whether 26 March remained a realistic deadline for devolution, claiming only republicans could provide the answer.

He urged unionists to turn out and vote to make the DUP the largest party and ensure any future executive has as many unionist ministers as possible.

"I look forward to a great victory. I look forward to going back to Downing Street with the electorate behind me to negotiate the things that must be negotiated before we have any agreement," he said.

"If we don't have the money to run the best possible machinery it is no good, you need the fuel and we have got to get that fuel."

DUP leader Ian Paisley at his party's manifesto launch

The DUP's 64-page manifesto says a satisfactory financial package is a precondition for establishing devolution.

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

"Sinn Fein 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."

The party demanded:<ul class="bulletList"><li></li>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;

<li>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;

<li>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;

<li>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;

<li> 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;

<li>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;

<li>A reduction in agricultural red tape, the development of Northern Ireland 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;

<li>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;

<li>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;

<li>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;

<li>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.

</ul>