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| Version 4 | Version 5 |
|---|---|
| NI leaders ask for views on deal | NI leaders ask for views on deal |
| (19 minutes later) | |
| Northern Ireland's first and deputy first ministers have launched an ad campaign to encourage people to read the Hillsborough Castle Agreement. | |
| Peter Robinson and Martin McGuinness said they wanted to use the £20,000 campaign to hear people's views. | Peter Robinson and Martin McGuinness said they wanted to use the £20,000 campaign to hear people's views. |
| A cross-community vote on devolving policing and justice powers will be held in the assembly on 9 March with devolution expected on 12 April. | A cross-community vote on devolving policing and justice powers will be held in the assembly on 9 March with devolution expected on 12 April. |
| Mr Robinson said everyone should take the chance to read the agreement. | Mr Robinson said everyone should take the chance to read the agreement. |
| He said: "I believe this agreement represents a considerable step towards securing the prize of a stable and peaceful Northern Ireland. | He said: "I believe this agreement represents a considerable step towards securing the prize of a stable and peaceful Northern Ireland. |
| "It is a sure sign that there will be no going back to the past. It is important that each and every citizen takes the time to read this agreement to fully understand what it means for them." | "It is a sure sign that there will be no going back to the past. It is important that each and every citizen takes the time to read this agreement to fully understand what it means for them." |
| The campaign will involve advertising on radio and in newspapers. | The campaign will involve advertising on radio and in newspapers. |
| Ulster Unionist deputy leader Danny Kennedy said it was too soon to seek public opinion. | Ulster Unionist deputy leader Danny Kennedy said it was too soon to seek public opinion. |
| "How can you seriously promote it at this stage with so many outstanding issues?" he asked. | "How can you seriously promote it at this stage with so many outstanding issues?" he asked. |
| "There's no identification yet of a policing and justice minister, the issue of parading is mired in controversy by public comment and the work of the executive sub-committee is awaited with interest." | "There's no identification yet of a policing and justice minister, the issue of parading is mired in controversy by public comment and the work of the executive sub-committee is awaited with interest." |
| 'Spin' | 'Spin' |
| The SDLP's Mark Durkan said the advert came "dangerously close" to electioneering on behalf of the DUP and Sinn Fein. | The SDLP's Mark Durkan said the advert came "dangerously close" to electioneering on behalf of the DUP and Sinn Fein. |
| "An advertising campaign that just presents spin rather than gives us detail, I think has to be highly questionable," the Foyle MP said. | "An advertising campaign that just presents spin rather than gives us detail, I think has to be highly questionable," the Foyle MP said. |
| "People will want to know about the cost." | "People will want to know about the cost." |
| Traditional Unionist Voice leader Jim Allister also criticised it. | Traditional Unionist Voice leader Jim Allister also criticised it. |
| "The joint DUP/Sinn Fein advert launched today, at huge public expense, is a mere vanity stunt and fraud, because the public response will not change one jot of their inter-party agreement; it will remain a humiliating defeat for unionism," he said. | "The joint DUP/Sinn Fein advert launched today, at huge public expense, is a mere vanity stunt and fraud, because the public response will not change one jot of their inter-party agreement; it will remain a humiliating defeat for unionism," he said. |
| Mr Allister added that in his view the campaign may breach the law which prohibits political advertising. | Mr Allister added that in his view the campaign may breach the law which prohibits political advertising. |
| The broadcasting watchdog, Ofcom, said that in light of Mr Allister's concern it will now assess "whether the advertisement raises issues against the requirements of Section 321 of the Communications Act 2003 - which prohibits the broadcast of political advertising". | The broadcasting watchdog, Ofcom, said that in light of Mr Allister's concern it will now assess "whether the advertisement raises issues against the requirements of Section 321 of the Communications Act 2003 - which prohibits the broadcast of political advertising". |
| Alliance leader David Ford said the advert was unnecessary. | Alliance leader David Ford said the advert was unnecessary. |
| "Alliance welcomed the Hillsborough Agreement and the public were relieved that a deal was finally sealed; however, I think it's a bit condescending for the DUP and Sinn Fein to think that the public need to be told to read it," he said.. | "Alliance welcomed the Hillsborough Agreement and the public were relieved that a deal was finally sealed; however, I think it's a bit condescending for the DUP and Sinn Fein to think that the public need to be told to read it," he said.. |