Stormont talks deadlocked as Foster refuses to shift

Posted by Jim on March 7, 2017

Talks to revive the Stormont Executive have hit a stalemate after less
than a day as DUP leader Arlene Foster resisted demands by Sinn Fein for
her to step aside First Minister.

Sinn Fein has long insisted it will not support the nomination of Foster
as First Minister while investigations get under way into a 500 million
pound financial scandal in which she is directly implicated.

There are allegations of abuse and corruption in Ms Foster’s handling of
the the runaway ‘green energy’ scheme known as the Renewable Heat
Initiative, which culminated in the collapse of the previous
administration. An inquiry into its operation is not expected to make
any findings for at least six months.

The parties have three weeks to form a new power-sharing government to
avoid the prospect of a third election in less than a year, or more
controversially, the reimposition of full Direct Rule from London.

Sinn Fein has indicated it could back another DUP nominee for the
position temporarily while Ms Foster stays on as party leader. Ms
Foster’s approach is unchanged, however.

“That is not the only red line they have put up before negotiations,”
she said. “I think it is a foolish thing to do.”

She insisted her party’s performance in last week’s Six County Assembly
election had been good, despite the DUP losing ten seats in the 90-seat
chamber, and cutting their lead over Sinn Fein from nine seats to a
single seat. She pointed to a numerical increase in votes amid a sharply
higher turnout.

“Our vote was up in every single constituency,” she said. “I think that
is a pretty good basis on which to continue as DUP leader.”

Ms Foster insisted there was no pressure to step down from within her
own party after its electoral collapse, and that she was not seeking to
rerun the election. Asked about feelings within her party Ms Foster
said: “There is no revolt.”

Sinn Fein’s Northern leader Michelle O’Neill said her party’s position
was also unchanged.

“Arlene Foster’s position is a matter for herself. Our position is on
the record and very clear in relation to what we think needs to happen,”
she said.

It is understood British Direct Ruler Brokenshire is meeting all five
main party leaders “on a bilateral basis” ahead of talks including
Minister for Foreign Affairs Charlie Flanagan on Wednesday.

On Sunday, Sinn Fein president Gerry Adams criticised the Tory
government in London, saying it is “part of the problem” of the
political crisis in the north of Ireland.

Mr Adams said British PM Theresa May was seeking to impose Brexit on the
north of Ireland and had refused to implement agreements on the legacy
of the conflict. He also said his party had no confidence in Mr
Brokenshire to chair post-election negotiations, but said his party was
seeking to “engage positively with all the other parties” to find a way
forward.

The following is the full text of his statement:

“Sinn Fein will be at Stormont tomorrow to engage positively with all
the other parties. Following on from the election, I have called on
everyone to reflect on how we find a way forward.

“That includes the two governments. I am disappointed by the commentary
from London and Dublin over the weekend.

“The two governments seem to be in denial of the reality that while the
RHI scandal precipitated the election, the political system has been
brought to the point of collapse by the failure to respect and implement
previous agreements. This failure includes both governments.

“The two governments have walked away from the role of co-equal
guarantors of the Good Friday Agreement. They have failed to uphold the
equality obligations of the Good Friday and subsequent agreements and
failed to ensure the implementation of an Irish Language act.

“It is little surprise that the DUP acted with arrogance and disrespect
to the point of scandal on the watch of the two governments.

“The British government refuses to implement the agreements on legacy
and has sought immunity for their soldiers and agents.

“They have set aside the concept of consent, and undermined human rights
safeguards, in seeking to impose Brexit against the will of the majority
of voters in the north.

“The British government has given up all pretence of independence. The
Tory party stood in the recent election and was rejected again by the
electorate receiving only 2,379 votes.

“They are not neutral arbitrators. They have refused to implement and
honour their agreements and responsibilities. They are part of the
problem.

“The Irish government needs to hold London to its responsibilities and
obligations. The Taoiseach knows this. So does Minister Flanagan. That
needs to be their focus in the coming talks.”