MLAs fear direct rule could 'sideline' executive decisions

As the Northern Ireland Office finishes its first full week in charge of the devolved administration, the larger political parties have rounded on direct rule.

Assembly members have voiced their fears that, whilst the executive is put into cold storage, London-based ministers could sideline the decisions of the power-sharing administration.

On the day that the Education and Training Inspectorate (ETI) launched its ‘Charter for Inspection', the SDLP's Tommy Gallagher and the UUP's Ken Robinson spoke of their concern that various aspects of education provision could be diluted or disappear under direct rule.

East Antrim assembly member, Ken Robinson, said that it was important that the Report of the Inquiry Team into the differentials for Principals and Vice-Principals, was not "buried under direct rule".

“Just before Stormont was suspended, the Sinn Fein Education Minister Martin McGuinness had written to me telling me that the Inquiry Team would report to him by the end of this month," Mr Robinson said.

"I want this report published so that all affected parties can discuss its recommendations and I want action as soon as possible so that the salary differential situation can be redressed. It is important that on-going issues are not buried at this time,” he added.

Fermanagh assembly member Tommy Gallagher claimed that there a danger of "direct rule interference" in the funding allocation to education as outlined by then Finance Minister, Sean Farren.

"Our schools and our children were subject to a history of neglect under direct rule which we were now only beginning to overcome with devolution. I am extremely worried that under British ministers, our education system will be taken back to the bad old days," said Mr Gallagher.

Alliance leader David Ford called on the government to proceed with plans to appoint a paramilitary monitor.

Mr Ford said: "Given the circumstances of suspension, it is impossible to see how the issue of paramilitary activity will stop dogging political progress.

"All parties are agreed that we need to get to a situation where paramilitaries are no longer part of our society, where democracy replaces violence.

"As we re-engage in talks, Alliance will be pushing the government to make an appointment as soon as possible."

The UUP's East Antrim assemblyman Roy Beggs Jnr said: "Direct Rule is not democracy. NIO Ministers are now taking the decisions affecting our lives… We have all been punished because of the misdemeanours of one,” he said.

Elsewhere, DUP Deputy leader Peter Robinson once again called on Prime Minister Tony Blair to bring forward fresh elections and a renegotiation of the agreement.

(GMcG)