Blair flies back for NI talks
Tony Blair ended his holiday early to try and boost devolution talks on Northern Ireland’s future.
Clashes between unionists and republicans have threatened to de-rail talks in the region, aimed at re-establishing devolved government at Stormont.
Last October talks in St Andrews set out a timetable for re-establishing local government in Northern Ireland. The Northern Ireland assembly was suspended in October 2002 following allegations of a republican spy ring at Stormont, but could be re-established by March 26th.
However, to re-open the assembly there needs to be consensus on policing in the province and currently the DUP does not accept Sinn Fein’s position.
Last month Sinn Fein’s leadership voted to hold a conference on the issue, but the party has indicated this is now doubtful after DUP leader Ian Paisley did not give it a “positive enough” response.
Without the conference taking place the March 26th election could be aborted.
And this has led to Mr Blair cutting short his Christmas break in Miami, and flying back to the UK to involve himself more closely in the talks.
Policing in Northern Ireland has long been regarded as one of the thorniest issues standing in the way of the peace process, with assembly elections due to be held in three months time.
However, things were looking positive last month after Sinn Fein agreed to hold a vote on whether to support the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) after two-thirds of delegates supported leader Gerry Adams’ motion.
Sinn Fein has traditionally opposed the PSNI and its predecessor the Royal Ulster Constabulary because of a perceived Protestant bias.
“Sinn Fein will propose to their party’s ard fheis that Sinn Fein commit now and fully to support the PSNI and the criminal justice system and actively encourage everyone to co-operate fully with the police services in tackling crime in all areas as well as actively supporting all the criminal justice institutions,” Mr Blair said in a statement today.
“These proposals, if committed to, and acted upon amount to the support by Sinn Fein for the rule of law, police and courts that is necessary.”
And the DUP should support this, the prime minister added.
“The DUP require that the Sinn Fein commitments to support for the police, the courts and the rule of law are translated into action so that there is real and tangible evidence of such support.
“It is delivery on those commitments that creates the conditions for devolution of policing and justice to take place. When there is delivery, there will be devolution.”
Mr Blair said he has spoken “intensively” to Ian Paisley and Gerry Adams in the last few days.
“My view therefore is that if there is delivery by Sinn Fein of support for the police, courts and rule of law within the St Andrew’s timeframe [before May], then there should be devolution of policing and justice within that timeframe,” he said.
“It is only on this basis and with this clarity that we can proceed to an election. I am confident that both parties want to see progress and will honour their commitments.
“But there is no point in proceeding unless there is such clarity.”
