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MAGINNESS: NORTH/SOUTH STRUCTURES NON-NEGOTIABLE SDLP North Belfast MLA Alban Maginness has said the party will not stand back and watch the DUP chip away at the all-Ireland dimensions of the Good Friday Agreement.
Speaking ahead of a debate in the Assembly tomorrow questioning the value of the North/South Ministerial Council, Mr Maginness, who is chair of the SDLP Assembly Group, said our message to Peter Robinson and the DUP is that North/South is non-negotiable.
He said: “The motion questioning the value of the North/South Ministerial Council is the continuation of a DUP theme which sees them chipping away at the Good Friday Agreement.
“This process began with Peter Robinson’s New Year Message when he asked whether the North/South Ministerial Council is ‘really the most effective use of our time and resources.’
“It was quickly followed by further motions in the Assembly seeking to reduce the number of ministries and a move to do away with the civic forum.
“It is evident that the DUP are determined to erode the all-Ireland structures of our political settlement which was endorsed by the majority of the people on this Ireland.
“This is part driven by electoral and tactical consideration attempting to sandbag the DUP from attacks by the TUV.
“The DUP are attempting to shape the new political world in the image of the old that elements of Unionism knew and loved.
“Furthermore, his is not about bureaucracy or efficiency, but a motion confrontational in language put down not ordinary backbenchers but two MPs
“Just like with the civic forum motion, the SDLP have put down a petition of concern which means the DUP plan will be blocked.
“Last week, the SDLP launched a new policy document entitled North/South No Going Back – Full Speed Ahead.
“We outlined the benefits of closer cross-border co-operation in terms of the economy. But it is also worth remembering these features were built into the Agreement in order to reassure Nationalists of the political commitment to the South in the new dispensation and to entice Unionists into the advantages of closer links with the South.
“While
Sinn Fein are happy to see the DUP get their own way and roll
back the Good Friday Agreement, the SDLP’s message to Peter
Robinson and the DUP is that the North/South Ministerial Council
is non-negotiable. It is a vital part of our political architecture.”
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