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Monday, 14 December 2009

Robinson and McGuinness in public clash

Peter Robinson and Martin McGuinness have clashed in public for the first time, as the split at the heart of the power-sharing government was dramatically exposed.

As the pair appeared before the cameras at a press conference after a north-south ministerial council meeting in Limavady on Monday, Mr McGuinness accused his counterpart of raising roadblocks to a deal.

Read Ken Reid's blog: Double trouble

As the men stood side-by-side in front of the media, a visibly angry Mr Robinson effectively reprimanded his opposite number accusing him of bringing private details into the public domain.

Mr McGuinness continually shook his head in disagreement as Mr Robinson spoke.

'Crisis'

UTV's Political Editor Ken Reid said the exchanges were seen as a public demonstration of the two leaders' long-running private dispute.

"It doesn't look to me as if there will be a date before Christmas. That means after the holiday and into the New Year the governments will intensify their efforts to try and get this matter sorted.

"There have been suggestions that Sinn Fein could walk away from the institutions - but I'm told that's not likely to happen before the Assembly resumes on 11 January. But I think if there's no progress at that point then we are facing a full-blown crisis," Ken Reid said.

The Sinn Fein leader hit out at DUP calls for a scrapping of the Parades Commission, which rules on Orange Order parades, and said it could not be a pre-condition to a deal on the transfer of policing and justice powers.

Mr McGuinness: "I move forward against the backdrop of the agreements that I made with Peter Robinson 13 months ago where we agreed an over-30 step approach to the transfer of powers on policing and justice.

"I have to say at no stage in that process was the issue of issues being used as pre-conditions for the transfer of power for policing and justice mentioned."

In a reference to a DUP letter to the Prime Minister demanding 'confidence building' measures for unionists before a deal, Mr McGuinness added: "At no stage were people contemplating sending, on solo runs, letters to Prime Ministers which effectively I had not seen, was not made aware of and was completely surprised by."

Mr Robinson hit back by claiming republicans had already backed reform of parades, but had now opted to delay the measures as a tactic.

The First Minister, who glanced at his adviser and became visibly angry as Mr McGuinness spoke, added: "I regret the tone of the latter remarks.

"I don't think that it is helpful for us to be going into the finer details of these matters, but nobody is in any doubt that the issue of parades was moving forward and was held back."

The clash came as Irish Taoiseach Brian Cowen led a team of his government's ministers in a session of cross-border talks with members of the Stormont administration.

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7 Comments

At 14:04 on 15 December 2009, The Realist wrote:

Walk away Sinn Fein it's now the only option left the duper's are to busy looking over there shoulder's for Jimmy and the TUV..I see unionist posting's are also pointing there finger's towards Sinn Fein.The only party who are acting childish and holding up this process is the DUP no-one else.It doesn't take a genius to notice that the DUP are now backtracking to there day's in the late 90's.

At 10:51 on 15 December 2009, norman wrote:

i watched robinson and mc guinness acting like two school boys standing in front of the head master and the biggest stumbling block to this country is these two parties untill people wake up to these parties and vote differently nothing will change

At 00:48 on 15 December 2009, David wrote:

I agree Jim but what does it matter to them?They(politicians) dont care...Its time for a public debate on TV between Sinn Fein and the DUP to see where they want to go instead of this back and forth to London and Dublin thing ,and meetings with Prime Ministers...The Prime ministers, Irish and British want to see this go forward,..so does the PSNI chief...so does the people of NI. How can you abolish the parades commission if it is a "Democratic" way to talk and resolve trouble in an area that doesnt want to see a parade? If a tradition like the marching season could be comparable to something fun and not cause both sides to fight due to intimidating features such as flying flags,banners and walking through areas that do not want to see it, then there would be no need for the commission.We are not at that position to do that. Because it is a tradition doesnt mean that it isnt offensive...especially when "Confidence Building" (as Peter would put is) is so important. The NI peace process is a name given to meetings that took place...however more is needed than these childish tit for tat rants back and forth...Get the job done...ASAP..What is Peter waiting for?? The confidence will come when something is being done,...not the fear of doing it..I think Peters afraid of loosing all his Britishness given to him by being a subject of Northern Ireland by devolving police and justice with Irish Republicans...The day has come to put the past to the past and move forward...Its a shame that people are able to move mountains but they just refuse to.We all must live together as one people..Being Bristish or Irish is not a reason not to.

At 00:39 on 15 December 2009, Liambo wrote:

The DUP are finished never mind insecure ..TUV vs DUP let the extemist battle begin

At 22:33 on 14 December 2009, John wrote:

"Confidence Building measures?" AGAIN ..? the DUP really are the party of insecure people.

At 22:30 on 14 December 2009, doirecormac wrote:

And these are the people who think they are mature enough to take on the huge responsibility for policing and justice? Leave it where it is. Also, did sinn fein really sign up to a deal to do away with the parades commission? If they did then this is unforgiveable. They have done a u-turn on many issues over the years all in the name of 'peace' but if this is true it's a terrible shame. How could they justify this to the communities which are tortured by contentious parades?

At 18:53 on 14 December 2009, jim wrote:

it's always about the unionist's..we want, we want, naw your not having it, we'll dispute it, we say NO, FULL STOP. catch yourselves on for our sakes, the people who you are paid to represent, the people outside Belfast who are sick and tired waiting for proper policing, decent jobs with decent wages, proper security, not you spitting the dummy, MR ROBINSON you are employed to do a job, to look after this corner of the UK and now it look's that you are incapable of doing properly.