Alliance pressures governments to address voting procedures

Irish Taoiseach Bertie Ahern is to discuss the strategy of cross community voting in the Northern Ireland Assembly with British Prime Minister Tony Blair, the Alliance Party leader David Ford has claimed.

Mr Ford was speaking after an Alliance delegation met the Taoiseach in Dublin on Wednesday March 6 to express their concern over voting strategies used in key votes at Stormont and the issue of sectarian designations.

During a crucial vote in November, Mark Durkan and David Trimble were only elected, after a temporary stalemate, to head Northern Ireland's devolved government with the backing of the Alliance party. Three Alliance members redesignated themselves for centre to unionist in order to ensure cross community support.

Mr Ford said: “Alliance had a useful and informative discussion with the Taoiseach and his advisors.

“However Alliance cannot redesignate to save the Assembly again and the onus is now on the two governments and other parties to fix the problem before the next crisis.

“The Taoiseach clearly shares our concerns for the stability of the institutions. While there may be legal concerns about the timing for the full review of the Agreement, there is no doubt that there is a political imperative to resolve the difficulties of designation before the next crisis arises.

“Mr Ahern said he would be discussing this issue with Mr Blair and he recognises that the two prime ministers will have to work together to convene the full review of the Agreement, which is due this year.”

An SDLP delegation also met with the Taoiseach on Wednesday in Dublin. The delegation also met Fine Gael and Labour TDs in the Dáil after their meeting with the Irish premier.

(AMcE)