Hain move 'tests DUP's devolution credentials'
The coming weeks will test whether the Democratic Unionists are serious about preparing for devolved government in the North, Martin McGuinness claimed tonight.
The Sinn Féin chief negotiator was commenting after the Northern Ireland Assembly’s Preparation for Government Committee finally got down to business after a week of deadlock over who should chair it.
Northern Ireland Secretary Peter Hain had to step in, appointing Assembly Deputy Speakers Jim Wells of the DUP and Francie Molloy of Sinn Féin, to chair the committee following the failure of parties to reach agreement.
Mr McGuinness said after the first meeting chaired by Mr Molloy: “We can speculate what last week was all about and there has been much speculation.
“What we have to focus on is the here and now.
“The real challenge will come in the time ahead when we and others will establish if the Democratic Unionist Party will constructively play their part in the time ahead with a real engagement.”
Earlier Northern Ireland Secretary Peter Hain reluctantly took the decision on who would chair the Stormont Committee tasked with identifying issues ahead of the November 24 deadline for restoring power sharing.
The DUP had wanted Assembly Speaker Eileen Bell to chair proceedings, but she refused.
A proposal that the five parties participating in the committee should rotate its chairmanship was rejected by the Reverend Ian Paisley’s party.
Mr Hain said today: “I would have preferred not to have had to issue a decision on this procedural matter.
“The parties have now accepted that deadlock must not be allowed to stand in the way of the important work that needs to be done to prepare for the return of local accountable government.
“With the two Prime Ministers due at the end of the month, and the clock ticking towards the November deadline, it is imperative that progress is made.
“The committee’s initial task is to identify the issues that need to be addressed to prepare for government and to refer appropriate topics that need to be publicly aired and debated in the Assembly as part of the preparation process.
“The MLAs have now been given the opportunity to truly represent the people of Northern Ireland’s best interests and get down to the serious business of preparing for government.”
