Politics

Sinn Féin and DUP leaders clash over way forward

Sinn Féin president Mary Lou McDonald and DUP leader Arlene Foster have clashed over the best way to break the current political deadlock
Sinn Féin president Mary Lou McDonald and DUP leader Arlene Foster have clashed over the best way to break the current political deadlock Sinn Féin president Mary Lou McDonald and DUP leader Arlene Foster have clashed over the best way to break the current political deadlock

The leaders of Sinn Féin and the DUP have clashed over the way forward in the political process.

The north has been without a Stormont executive since Sinn Féin collapsed the assembly in January 2017 in the wake of the RHI scandal and talks between the main political parties have failed to find a breakthrough.

Speaking at her party’s Spring conference in Ballymena, Co Antrim, at the weekend DUP leader Arlene Foster accused Sinn Féin of trying to “deliver division and dysfunction”.

The former first minister also warned that a return to power-sharing did not appear to be promising.

Referring to £410m put into the north as a result of her party’s confidence and supply deal with the Tory government, Mrs Foster said the DUP has delivered for everyone in the north.

"What are Sinn Féin delivering for our people? The answer is short and simple - absolutely nothing,” she said.

"Sorry, that isn't entirely fair. Sinn Féin are at least trying to deliver.

“They are trying to deliver division and dysfunction. But we are not going to allow them to hold Northern Ireland to ransom any longer.”

The DUP leader also reaffirmed her party’s support for a shadow assembly structure which would see local politicians scrutinise decisions taken in Westminster.

Speaking at an event in London Sinn Féin president Mary Lou McDonald said a shadow assembly would be a backward step.

"The way forward in the north is through real and genuine powersharing, the delivery of citizens' rights and equal partnership government,” she said.

"Any proposed shadow assembly would mark a retreat from powersharing and the leadership needed to restore the Good Friday Agreement framework.

“It would be an unacceptable step backwards, lacking credibility.

She said it was now up to the British and Irish governments to find a way forward.

"The onus is now on the two governments to act and through their joint stewardship to remove the obstacles to restoring the political institutions,” she said.

"Both governments must now convene the British-Irish Intergovernmental Conference to find a way to implement outstanding agreements and to fully respect the rights of citizens to marriage equality, to language rights and the funding of legacy inquests.

"Direct rule is not an option. It was a failure in the past and would be so again.

"It's time to face the real challenge to deliver citizens' rights and to re-establish the institutions of the Good Friday Agreement."