Northern Ireland devolution could be derailed by row over welfare reforms
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Version 0 of 1. Devolution in Northern Ireland is under threat due to a row between unionists and nationalists over welfare reforms in the region. Martin McGuinness, the deputy first minister, accused the Democratic Unionist party of going back on commitments to protect the most vulnerable in society from welfare cuts. Peter Robinson, the first minister, hit back on Monday claiming McGuinness and Sinn Féin were “dishonourable” over support for the Stormont House agreement. After 100 days of talks and just two days before Christmas, Sinn Féin, the DUP, the Ulster Unionists and the SDLP reached an agreement at Stormont that saved devolved government in Belfast from collapse. The reform of the welfare system in Northern Ireland was the major stumbling block of the marathon talks that at one stage directly involved the British and Irish governments. But Sinn Féin appeared to do U-turn on Monday on backing welfare reforms, with McGuinness confirming his party will put down a “petition of concern” to block the welfare bill going through the Stormont assembly. Under the complex rules of devolution if two parties or more issue a “petition of concern” it can veto any proposed legislation as it would not have cross community support. Commenting on the latest crisis to destabilise devolution and power sharing, McGuinness said the row could have “very profound implications”. He added: “At Stormont House, the five parties agreed a series of measures to protect the vulnerable and safeguard current and future welfare claimants under the control of the executive,” he said. “However, the DUP have acted in bad faith and are now reneging on their commitments to protect the most vulnerable. It is their intention to provide only partial protection to current recipients of benefit and no protection whatsoever for future claimants.” Robinson said Sinn Féin’s announcement that they will veto the welfare bill was “hamfisted”. The DUP leader said he intended to “implement every word and number in the Stormont House and Castle agreements”. DUP MP Jeffrey Donaldson also warned of a serious crisis ahead at Stormont. The Lagan Valley MP said: “We really do not want to see the institutions placed under threat, but I think that if Sinn Féin block the welfare reform bill that has massive consequences for the politics of Northern Ireland. “We should not underestimate the significance of all of this. If that happens, we are in very, very troubled waters.” Sinn Féin has taken considerable political flak in the Irish Republic for seeming to back welfare reforms including cuts to the civil service and public sector in Northern Ireland. The party has opposed cuts and austerity measures in the Republic but their opponents have claimed they operate double standards north of the border, where Sinn Féin, along with all the other parties in the Stormont assembly, appeared to back UK-Treasury-imposed cuts to jobs and services. |