It's a deal in Northern Ireland as Sinn Fein and DUP agree on way forward

Posted on Thursday, February 04, 2010 at 08:58 PM

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Northern Ireland First Minister Peter Robinson reached a deal at midnight on Thursday with his party members to continue in government with Sinn Fein.

The British and Irish Prime Ministers, Gordon Brown and Brian Cowen, are expected in Belfast on Friday to witness the deal being inked. Both had flown to the North to take part in the negotiations late last week.

The deal will allow policing and justice powers to be devolved to Northern Ireland and a compromise has been reached on Orange parades marching through nationalist areas.

Peter Robinson stated his party had accepted the deal unanimously. Earlier in the week, 14 members of his 35-member assembly party were said to have rejected it.

However, a series of last minute negotiations were successful. Among them, apparently, was a decision by the British government to help unionists who invested in a church credit union that collapsed to get their funds back.

“We have had a very constructive meeting of our assembly group and I had the opportunity to put to them proposals which we have been working on," said Robinson.

"Everyone present believes that this is consistent with our election manifesto and pledges we have made to the people."

Sinn Fein President Gerry Adams said the DUP's decision had come after "a lengthy stretch of negotiations."

Praising his own party's negotiating team, he added: "I believe that the Assembly and political institutions can now proceed on the basis of equality, fairness and partnership.

"They also have to deliver for all citizens, that is the collective responsibility of all the political parties."

Robinson felt that the deal was a good one for all members of the DUP.

"An essential element of the Democratic Unionist manifesto is the requirement for community confidence and we believe that this can be the basis of gaining that confidence," he said.

"It does more than dealing with devolving further powers. It deals with how we deal with the powers that we have."

The DUP decision was welcomed by Alliance Party leader David Ford, who is expected to be the new justice minister.

"This is what the people of Northern Ireland have waited so long to hear and it means that the Executive can get back to the real work of providing quality services and strengthening our economy, " said Ford.

"We may face a few challenges in the coming months as regards the justice devolution process, but I am very hopeful that this will signal a new, more positive era for Northern Ireland."

However, Traditional Unionist Voice spokesman Jim Alistair described the DUP as "snowmen who had melted" under the pressure to get a deal.

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avemaria | Feb 06, 2010, 01:17 AM EST

what happened to my comment that was posted yesterday?

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killowen | Feb 05, 2010, 11:25 PM EST

They'll waltz again for a time. Come July the mad marching will but a stop to such rope-a-dope hoping. A partitioned island will never fully be at peace - a scary thought for the trusted occupier. More kinghtings should flow from this dance.

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Searlit | Feb 05, 2010, 11:00 AM EST

Yes, Thanks be to God! I'm very pleased to see this agreement between Sinn Fein and the DUP. They worked it out and have become good examples for the rest of the world.

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phoenixnurse | Feb 05, 2010, 10:18 AM EST

Thank God for Gerry Adam's, energy, passion Leadership and sacrificing to make this happen. Northern Ireland now has a true chance at Peace. It's a New Beginning for a United Ireland.

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CLoghry1938 | Feb 05, 2010, 10:10 AM EST

I think it is about time two groups of people who both claim to be Christian put those Christian principles to work. Both catholics and Protestants claim to serve the same God. and the bible clearly states "God is love".

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Watchman | Feb 05, 2010, 09:56 AM EST

I just posted a comment addressing Padraig's complaint. It didn't appear. I wonder if this one will. Probably.

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MikeyMurphs | Feb 05, 2010, 09:26 AM EST

Likewise Padraig!

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SyndiHolmes | Feb 05, 2010, 09:25 AM EST

What, exactly, is the compromise on marching and why were language considerations removed from the agreement?

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Realist | Feb 05, 2010, 03:48 AM EST

Great news. Devolution of Policing and Justice is a central tennant of DUP part policy anyway. Now Northern Ireland can consolidate its rightful place as a fully functioning part of the United Kingdom.

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Padraig | Feb 05, 2010, 01:53 AM EST

I would post a comment Niall but you would erase it.

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