SDLP Talking With Unionists On Arrangements Short OF GFA
Sinn Féin MP for Newry & Armagh Conor Murphy has challenged the SDLP to
come clean about their discussions with unionists about diluting the
power-sharing arrangements of the Good Friday Agreement.
Mr. Murphy said:
"As a precursor to planned political talks next month the two governments
need to make it clear to the parties that the only basis for moving
forward is the route mapped out in the Good Friday Agreement. Sinn Féin
will not countenance a move away from the fundamental principles which
underpin that Agreement.
“However I understand that the SDLP
have been engaged in discussions with unionists on the basis of
arrangements outside the terms of the Good Friday Agreement.
“This
is disappointing.
“Nine months ago the SDLP put forward
proposals which involved scrapping the power sharing executive and
replacing it with administrators, appointed by the governments, to run the
various government departments.
“This was unacceptable then and
it is unacceptable now.
“Power-sharing and inclusivity are at
the core of the Agreement. This is what was agreed by the parties and
endorsed in referendum by the vast majority of the people in referenda
north and south.
“The irony is we are at the point where
unionist political leaders have no longer any excuse for refusing to
re-engage in the institutions on the basis of the Agreement.
“So,
just as the governments are about to convene a new round of round of
political negotiations involving all the parties next month,
anti-Agreement unionists will be well pleased to hear that the SDLP are
prepared to settle for less than the full restoration of the political
institutions.
“The SDLP proposals provide unionists with a
basis for further procrastination and some encouragement that they may
achieve a major dilution of the Agreement.
“Settling for less than power-sharing will reopen the prospect of a return
to unionist party rule in the north.
“The SDLP must clarify
where they stand with regard to power-sharing
“Any dilution of
the power-sharing arrangements which underpin the Agreement will undermine
efforts to bring about full restoration of the political institutions.”
ENDS