DUP suggests revived Assembly options
The British government was urged today to consider a number of models for reviving the Northern Ireland Assembly even if an inclusive power-sharing government featuring Sinn Féin and the Democratic Unionists could not be formed in the short term.
In its 16-page Facing Reality document published today, the Rev Ian Paisley’s DUP said it was certain the power-sharing executive could not be formed at Stormont currently.
In that context, the party argued that Northern Ireland could either mark time waiting for Republicans to transform their movement into a peaceful and democratic organisation or find another way forward that did not require Sinn Féin to be in government.
The DUP outlined a number of options which would see the Assembly operate.
“Setting aside executive devolution as a prospect for the foreseeable future leaves a range of possible structures which can be considered which include low-responsibility bodies such as a shadow Assembly,” the document said.
“Then there are mid-range models which solely provide for either legislated devolution or administrative devolution.
“In the 1970s and ‘80s the DUP had advocated legislative devolution while the Ulster Unionist Party had supported administrative devolution.
“It is possible to construct a legislative devolution model drawn upon the practices of the EU, where the task is shared between the Council of Ministers and the Parliament.
“The Northern Ireland Office ministers would comprise a college or council of ministers.
“They, or the Assembly (through committees or as a unitary body), could propose legislation.
“All legislation on transferred matters would be subject to a co-decision procedure, whereby to be enacted the approval of the college of ministers and the Assembly would be required.”
