24/02/2010
SDLP Slams Community Relations Strategy
A leading nationalist politician has attacked a newly published strategy that is supposed to combat sectarianism.
Commenting on the publication of a Shared Cohesion Strategy (CSI) by the First and Deputy First Ministers, the SDLP's Alex Attwood (pictured) said the announcement must not be a "carrot" for the Alliance Party to prompt the nomination of their leader, David Ford as the Justice Minister.
Two years behind schedule, Peter Robinson and Martin McGuinness have agreed a new blueprint for fighting sectarianism in NI which they announced on Tuesday.
The community relations strategy formed part of the discussions around the policing and justice deal in NI.
The Alliance Party, who were concerned the issue had not been addressed, have welcomed the move.
Alliance Party leader David Ford said the announcement was a "positive step forward for Northern Ireland".
"Alliance looks forward to examining this document in detail," he said. "A document is only a start. What matters is delivery and Alliance will be holding the first and deputy first ministers, and in fact the entire Executive, to account on how well they deliver."
However, while SDLP MLA Alex Attwood said he welcomed "any progress made to create a shared society, promoting good relations and deepening understanding between communities", he said the announcement "must not be a carrot for the Alliance Party to nominate David Ford as the Justice Minister".
"There is, of course, the danger that in final analysis, the CSI strategy is to be protected in order to go through the fiction of satisfying the Alliance Party and David Ford in particular, with the issue of shared societies being addressed at his satisfaction in order for him to consent to his name going forward for the justice ministry.
"The CSI strategy is needed because Northern Ireland's society needs robust, vigorous and expansive CSI agenda," he continued.
"The strategy must be the right strategy not a device for the DUP, Sinn Fein and Alliance to collude together to exclude a nationalist from the Justice Ministry and for David Ford to have a threshold to participate in the exclusion of a nationalist minister.
"The community will see through this if that is the primary motivation of this CSI strategy," he said.
Ulster Unionist MLA Tom Elliott has also criticised the CSI saying that the delay in bringing forward the plan was "another example of Executive dysfunctionality".
(BMcC/GK)
Commenting on the publication of a Shared Cohesion Strategy (CSI) by the First and Deputy First Ministers, the SDLP's Alex Attwood (pictured) said the announcement must not be a "carrot" for the Alliance Party to prompt the nomination of their leader, David Ford as the Justice Minister.
Two years behind schedule, Peter Robinson and Martin McGuinness have agreed a new blueprint for fighting sectarianism in NI which they announced on Tuesday.
The community relations strategy formed part of the discussions around the policing and justice deal in NI.
The Alliance Party, who were concerned the issue had not been addressed, have welcomed the move.
Alliance Party leader David Ford said the announcement was a "positive step forward for Northern Ireland".
"Alliance looks forward to examining this document in detail," he said. "A document is only a start. What matters is delivery and Alliance will be holding the first and deputy first ministers, and in fact the entire Executive, to account on how well they deliver."
However, while SDLP MLA Alex Attwood said he welcomed "any progress made to create a shared society, promoting good relations and deepening understanding between communities", he said the announcement "must not be a carrot for the Alliance Party to nominate David Ford as the Justice Minister".
"There is, of course, the danger that in final analysis, the CSI strategy is to be protected in order to go through the fiction of satisfying the Alliance Party and David Ford in particular, with the issue of shared societies being addressed at his satisfaction in order for him to consent to his name going forward for the justice ministry.
"The CSI strategy is needed because Northern Ireland's society needs robust, vigorous and expansive CSI agenda," he continued.
"The strategy must be the right strategy not a device for the DUP, Sinn Fein and Alliance to collude together to exclude a nationalist from the Justice Ministry and for David Ford to have a threshold to participate in the exclusion of a nationalist minister.
"The community will see through this if that is the primary motivation of this CSI strategy," he said.
Ulster Unionist MLA Tom Elliott has also criticised the CSI saying that the delay in bringing forward the plan was "another example of Executive dysfunctionality".
(BMcC/GK)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
21 March 2024
Other News In Brief
DUP Hit Out At TUV For Attempts To 'Reduce Unionist Representation At Westminster' The DUP's East Antrim MP Sammy Wilson has condemned the TUV for what he said are attempts to brand the DUP as "not real unionists".
Other News In Brief
DUP Hit Out At TUV For Attempts To 'Reduce Unionist Representation At Westminster' The DUP's East Antrim MP Sammy Wilson has condemned the TUV for what he said are attempts to brand the DUP as "not real unionists".
24 January 2024
SDLP Proposes Amendment To Executive Formation Bill
The SDLP has said that it will seek to amend proposed legislation extending the deadline for the formation of an Executive after the previous deadline passed last week.
SDLP Proposes Amendment To Executive Formation Bill
The SDLP has said that it will seek to amend proposed legislation extending the deadline for the formation of an Executive after the previous deadline passed last week.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:Mainly dry this morning with sunny spells then scattered showers breaking out this afternoon. A chilly start then feeling warmer in afternoon sunshine. Light southerly winds. Maximum temperature 11 °C.Tonight:Any showers at first soon dying out. Then dry overnight with clear periods and turning chilly with a touch of frost later tonight. Minimum temperature 1 °C.