STORMONT POWER-SHARING COALITION SHOWING STRAINS
11/27/07 16:43 EST
The Democratic Unionist Party and Sinn Fein were today accused of control freakery in the Northern Ireland Executive as cabinet divisions over the draft program for government and budget widened. Ulster Unionist leader Sir Reg Empey made the claim after Finance Minister Peter Robinson attacked his party and the nationalist SDLP for backing last night in the Assembly an Alliance Party amendment which criticized the draft program and the Executive`s draft investment strategy for lacking vision.
As the Assembly debate drew to a close, Mr Robinson reminded the two parties they were members of a coalition at Stormont.
“The basis upon which any coalition government can move forward is on the basis for a program for government,” the DUP deputy leader told them.
“And so that there is no doubt at a later stage, without an agreed programme for government, there cannot be government.”
However Sir Reg, who is the Employment and Learning Minister in the Executive, accused the DUP and Sinn Fein of operating a two-party cabal and insisting only on collectivity in government when they wanted to be fireproofed from criticism.
“We are currently engaged in a process where we are discussing drafts - I repeat drafts - of the program for government and budget,” the UUP leader responded.
“It is an opportunity for MLAs and the general public to openly debate and offer alternative viewpoints. The threats from certain ministers to attempt to stifle debate by threatening the collapse of the government if these matters are not agreed to their liking reeks of throwing all the toys out of the pram and is a dagger to the heart of the democratic process. MLAs and parties must have the right to discuss and debate these draft proposals.”
“We are now beginning to see signs of control freakery being exhibited. The UUP regrets Mr Robinson`s thinly veiled threats in his closing remarks yesterday,” Empey said.
