Daily
Dispatch Thursday 26th October 2006
DUP
ACCEPTANCE OF GOOD FRIDAY AGREEMENT WOULD BE WELCOME - MAGINNESS
SDLP Justice Spokesman Alban Maginness MLA has welcomed indications
that the DUP are to accept the St Andrews deal but warned them
against playing politics on the devolution of justice.
Mr Maginness stated:
“St Andrews paves the way for the DUP to accept the Good
Friday Agreement - so we can only welcome indications that the
DUP for once may say yes.
The pity is that they did not do so eight years ago. Indeed, the
pity is that they did not accept Sunningdale over thirty years
ago. Had they done so – and Sinn Fein done likewise –
thousands of victims might instead be alive today.”
“The SDLP is concerned, however, that the DUP is still demanding
an end to inclusion. That’s the stuff of DUP fantasies and
there isn’t a chance of it happening. Inclusion is vital
to overcome the divisions in our society and the SDLP will not
be signing up for any clause to scrap it. We have defended inclusion
for all parties throughout – and we will continue to defend
it now.”
Turning to Willie McCrea’s statement that the devolution
of justice was “a long time down the line”, Mr Maginness
stated:
“The DUP continually attempts to pretend that the devolution
of justice is something that people should be afraid of. The truth
is that a devolved minister for justice will not be able to boss
the police. But what he or she can do is work with the Assembly
to get better laws protecting people against crime. That can only
benefit everybody in the community.
That’s why DUP foot dragging on the devolution of justice
is a nonsense. We need devolution to do sensible things like end
automatic 50% remission for sex offenders and other workable policies.
Holding it up only leaves the public with worse protection against
crime.”
NOTES
TO EDITORS:
The Belfast Telegraph today reports that the DUP will recommend
acceptance of St Andrews – but will also demand arrangements
to “move away” from inclusion.
The DUP has made the same demand at the Preparation for Government
Committee and at negotiations with the SDLP.
The paper also report Willie McCrea as saying that the devolution
of justice is “a long time down the line” and that
there would not be unionist support for it occurring by 2008,
the date set out in the St Andrews deal.
