Concern growing for future of Northern Assembly
Concerns for the future of the North's power-sharing Government heightened today after a senior politician said the Assembly may need to be recalled from summer recess.
Leader of the SDLP Mark Durkan said the political stand-off between the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) and Sinn Féin was creating a crisis at the heart of Government.
Disagreement between the parties over key issues was blamed for the cancellation of a cabinet meeting earlier this month and he said if one scheduled for Thursday does not go ahead, the Assembly must be recalled as a matter of urgency.
Mr Durkan, who is chair of the Assembly's enterprise, trade and investment committee, said politicians had to show leadership at a time when economic hardships were hitting ordinary people.
"Over the past few months we have seen remarkably few Executive meetings," he said.
"This has meant important matters such as PPS14 (rural planning laws), education reform and resolving the issue of water charges have all been held up.
"Furthermore, I know the (SDLP) Social Development Minister Margaret Ritchie has expressed her frustration at being unable to table three bills during this unacceptable delay."
His comments come as the DUP and Sinn Féin are locked in talks over a series of divisive issues including the transfer of policing powers to Stormont, education reform, the introduction of an Irish language act and the future of the Maze prison site.
The parties have pledged to intensify talks on the transfer of policing powers, but the other issues separating them are proving just as divisive.
As they fail to agree deals on the outstanding matters, the result has been a slow-down of the work of the Executive which is dominated by the two biggest parties.
Mr Durkan today said: "In the meantime, people in Northern Ireland are feeling the effects of an economic crunch which is now a consumer and income crunch.
"Companies and small businesses are under pressure in all our constituencies.
"Rising energy costs are driving increasing costs of living. We are now reaching new levels of difficulties, where householders are struggling to heat their homes, run their cars and pay for food.
"Fuel poverty is widening and deepening.
"There are also budget implications for departments and services arising directly and indirectly from these cost increases.
"Is the Executive's best way of meeting this crisis not to meet?"
It is understood the SDLP wants to encourage innovative thinking on how resources may be redirected to help ease financial pressures.
Mr Durkan added: "People will be entitled to ask is this the best devolution can do for them? Is this it, continued procrastination and endless disagreement.
"If OFMDFM are not prepared to take responsibility to show leadership through the Executive then it is up to us as elected representatives in the Assembly to do so and reconvene at the earliest suitable date."
