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16/06/2014
Ford Questions Commitment To Flag Talks
Alliance leader David Ford has publicly questioned whether all parties at Stormont are "genuinely committed" to reaching agreement on contentious issues, following a delay in organising five party talks.
Martin McGuinness and Peter Robinson have pledged to hold two sessions of three-day talks to resolve outstanding issues that remain following last year's talks chaired by US diplomat Richard Haass. However, no date has yet been set.
Mr Ford made the comments as he was addressing the Alliance Party's ruling Council in Newcastle on Saturday.
"It is now exactly twelve days since Peter Robinson and Martin McGuinness agreed to hold these all-party talks, and promised to deliver a paper on the details within 48 hours," he said.
"Yet so far no details whatsoever on the arrangements for these meetings have been given to the parties. There are meant to be two periods of intensive talks before the start of July, but there has so far been a total lack of urgency coming from the First and deputy First Ministers. The reality is that, if the will is there, we can resolve these issues in these talks. However, if it is taking nearly two weeks for Robinson and McGuinness to organise their diaries then it suggests the will is not there."
Mr Ford said he was concerned that Peter Robinson is "attempting to take issues off the table.
"Concerns about flags and parades are inextricably linked with our divided past," he said. "Anyone who suggests otherwise is misleading the people."
(IT)
Martin McGuinness and Peter Robinson have pledged to hold two sessions of three-day talks to resolve outstanding issues that remain following last year's talks chaired by US diplomat Richard Haass. However, no date has yet been set.
Mr Ford made the comments as he was addressing the Alliance Party's ruling Council in Newcastle on Saturday.
"It is now exactly twelve days since Peter Robinson and Martin McGuinness agreed to hold these all-party talks, and promised to deliver a paper on the details within 48 hours," he said.
"Yet so far no details whatsoever on the arrangements for these meetings have been given to the parties. There are meant to be two periods of intensive talks before the start of July, but there has so far been a total lack of urgency coming from the First and deputy First Ministers. The reality is that, if the will is there, we can resolve these issues in these talks. However, if it is taking nearly two weeks for Robinson and McGuinness to organise their diaries then it suggests the will is not there."
Mr Ford said he was concerned that Peter Robinson is "attempting to take issues off the table.
"Concerns about flags and parades are inextricably linked with our divided past," he said. "Anyone who suggests otherwise is misleading the people."
(IT)
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