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Talks to save power sharing in Northern Ireland get under way | Talks to save power sharing in Northern Ireland get under way |
(about 1 hour later) | |
Emergency talks aimed at saving Northern Ireland’s power-sharing government from collapsing have begun with a warning from Sinn Féin that there should be no preconditions set on the negotiations. | Emergency talks aimed at saving Northern Ireland’s power-sharing government from collapsing have begun with a warning from Sinn Féin that there should be no preconditions set on the negotiations. |
Martin McGuinness, the Sinn Féin veteran and deputy first minister, said it was very, very important that there are no preconditions at the discussions. He also said fresh elections to a new Northern Ireland assembly were the next logical step if the talks fail. | Martin McGuinness, the Sinn Féin veteran and deputy first minister, said it was very, very important that there are no preconditions at the discussions. He also said fresh elections to a new Northern Ireland assembly were the next logical step if the talks fail. |
The power-sharing executive in Belfast is on the brink of breaking down over allegations that the IRA still exists and killed one of its former members, Kevin McGuigan, last month. | The power-sharing executive in Belfast is on the brink of breaking down over allegations that the IRA still exists and killed one of its former members, Kevin McGuigan, last month. |
Sinn Féin has consistently denied that the IRA was involved in killing McGuigan, who was targeted because republicans in Belfast believe he was the gunman behind the murder of his one-time IRA comrade Gerard “Jock” Davison in May. Party spokespeople have described those behind both revenge killings as “criminals and dissidents”. | Sinn Féin has consistently denied that the IRA was involved in killing McGuigan, who was targeted because republicans in Belfast believe he was the gunman behind the murder of his one-time IRA comrade Gerard “Jock” Davison in May. Party spokespeople have described those behind both revenge killings as “criminals and dissidents”. |
The Ulster Unionist party leader, Mike Nesbitt, said earlier on Monday that Sinn Féin had to accept some IRA involvement in the murder otherwise the talks were doomed. It appears that the prospects for restoring trust among the parties, in what is likely to be four weeks of intense discussions, are remote at present. | The Ulster Unionist party leader, Mike Nesbitt, said earlier on Monday that Sinn Féin had to accept some IRA involvement in the murder otherwise the talks were doomed. It appears that the prospects for restoring trust among the parties, in what is likely to be four weeks of intense discussions, are remote at present. |
Ahead of a meeting with the Northern Ireland secretary, Theresa Villers, at Stormont House, where the talks will take place, Nesbitt said Sinn Féin’s attitude regarding fears about alleged continuing IRA activity would either “kill or cure” power sharing. | Ahead of a meeting with the Northern Ireland secretary, Theresa Villers, at Stormont House, where the talks will take place, Nesbitt said Sinn Féin’s attitude regarding fears about alleged continuing IRA activity would either “kill or cure” power sharing. |
He said: “We have cautioned against holding a roundtable discussion at this time until the secretary of state gets a feel of where others, particularly Sinn Féin, are with regard to the way forward.” | He said: “We have cautioned against holding a roundtable discussion at this time until the secretary of state gets a feel of where others, particularly Sinn Féin, are with regard to the way forward.” |
Related: Stormont Northern Ireland crisis talks explained | Related: Stormont Northern Ireland crisis talks explained |
Alasdair McDonnell, the leader of the nationalist SDLP, suggested on Monday afternoon that the Obama administration should be brought in to help with the negotiations. The MP for South Belfast said: “We feel that the process would be enhanced significantly if the Americans were more involved.” | Alasdair McDonnell, the leader of the nationalist SDLP, suggested on Monday afternoon that the Obama administration should be brought in to help with the negotiations. The MP for South Belfast said: “We feel that the process would be enhanced significantly if the Americans were more involved.” |
The Alliance party leader and Northern Ireland justice minister, David Ford, reminded unionists that it was just not the IRA they should be worried about, given the continued existence of loyalist paramilitary groups. | The Alliance party leader and Northern Ireland justice minister, David Ford, reminded unionists that it was just not the IRA they should be worried about, given the continued existence of loyalist paramilitary groups. |
He said: “While it is correct for the question about the operational organisation of the IRA to be scrutinised, it is essential the role of loyalist paramilitaries and their relationships with unionist parties are examined. | He said: “While it is correct for the question about the operational organisation of the IRA to be scrutinised, it is essential the role of loyalist paramilitaries and their relationships with unionist parties are examined. |
“It is a matter we raised... you cannot on one hand call for the removal of the IRA while on the other hand meet and interact with representatives of organisations such as the UVF and UDA on a regular basis.” | |
At present, the Northern Ireland executive exists in a kind of limbo after Peter Robinson stepped down as the first minister last week. All but one of his Democratic Unionist party (DUP) ministers in the power-sharing coalition have resigned, but to keep the executive in shadow existence, Robinson has appointed Arlene Foster as the acting first minister. She remains the finance minister. | At present, the Northern Ireland executive exists in a kind of limbo after Peter Robinson stepped down as the first minister last week. All but one of his Democratic Unionist party (DUP) ministers in the power-sharing coalition have resigned, but to keep the executive in shadow existence, Robinson has appointed Arlene Foster as the acting first minister. She remains the finance minister. |
Villiers will make a keynote statement about the talks in the House of Commons on Tuesday, it was announced late on Monday afternoon. | Villiers will make a keynote statement about the talks in the House of Commons on Tuesday, it was announced late on Monday afternoon. |
Robinson’s DUP did not turn up for the talks on Monday, waiting instead for the Commons statement. He later said his party will listen to what the government has to say and reach conclusions as a party after that. He said: “There are certain things that the government needs not just to be saying, but doing.” | Robinson’s DUP did not turn up for the talks on Monday, waiting instead for the Commons statement. He later said his party will listen to what the government has to say and reach conclusions as a party after that. He said: “There are certain things that the government needs not just to be saying, but doing.” |
The crucial issue of the talks is whether the Provisional IRA still exists. As a military organisation, it was supposed to have dissolved under a deal in 2005 that eventually led to unionists sharing power with their one-time republican enemies. Unionists have claimed that the McGuigan killing and the conclusion from the chief constable of the Police Service of Northern Ireland that the group retains some organisational structure is a breach of that deal. However, Sinn Fein counters by claiming that the threat to destabilise power-sharing is a result of inter-unionist election rivalry. | The crucial issue of the talks is whether the Provisional IRA still exists. As a military organisation, it was supposed to have dissolved under a deal in 2005 that eventually led to unionists sharing power with their one-time republican enemies. Unionists have claimed that the McGuigan killing and the conclusion from the chief constable of the Police Service of Northern Ireland that the group retains some organisational structure is a breach of that deal. However, Sinn Fein counters by claiming that the threat to destabilise power-sharing is a result of inter-unionist election rivalry. |
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