DUP attempts to bait republicans and nationalists will fail-Doherty

West Tyrone Sinn Fein MP Pat Doherty, speaking about the current political situation, says that while many outstanding issues remain to be addressed, particularly around the issue of policing, his party has been and will continue to work constructively towards the objective of restoring the power-sharing and all-Ireland institutions.

The local MP said,
“Sinn Fein will not be deflected from this objective by the juvenile antics of the DUP and its continued attempts to bait republicans and nationalists around issues such as the 11 plus and policing. The DUP game plan is clear- it wants republicans and nationalists to give up on this project so that it will not have to face the daunting prospect of having to share power with republicans and nationalists on the basis of equality nor have to fully operate the all-Ireland institutions for the first time.

“It is understandable that in the present climate many republicans and nationalists could find the prospect of Plan B, as alluded to by both governments, as a more attractive proposition than trying to tie the DUP into power-sharing and all-Ireland institutions.

“However, I would caution those who believe that Plan B would amount to some form of Joint Authority to look at the minimalist approach taken by the Dublin government to the potential contained in the All-Ireland architecture of the Good Friday Agreement to date, and then consider the unlikely prospect of the Dublin government changing from this minimalist approach in a Plan B scenario.

“The reality is that Plan B would not be much different from the current political status quo, with all the people of the six counties being subject to the unaccountable and punitive nature of British Direct Rule for years to come.

“In the absence of the power-sharing and all-Ireland institutions the British Treasury will be given carte blanche to continue with its asset stripping and stealth taxes crusade against the people of the six counties while at the same time cutting public expenditure in health, education and other public services.

“The restoration of the institutions is by no means a panacea for all our ills but without locally elected and accountable representatives at the helm we will remain powerless to effect positive change, whether it be political, economic or social change.

“For those of us who seek to bring about maximum change on this island the current political status quo is not an option and Sinn Fein view the restoration of the powersharing and all-Ireland institutions as a key beech head from which to progress the all-Ireland agenda and the trajectory towards Irish Unity.

In terms of the issue of policing and justice and the restoring of the institutions, issues that must be agreed include the timeframe for the transfer of powers and the model for the department on policing and justice.

“Sinn Fein is committed to bring and end to decades of repressive and sectarian policing. As such, we reject any role for MI5 in Ireland or in Civic policing. We want to see democratically accountable civic policing and we will continue to work until we achieve this.