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02/10/2001
Trimble will walk away if motion is defeated
Ulster Unionist Party leader David Trimble has said his ministers will quit the Stormont Executive if an attempt to oust Sinn Féin from government fails.
He was speaking before travelling to Dublin with acting First Minister Sir Reg Empey to hold crisis peace process talks with the Taoiseach Bertie Ahern on Tuesday evening.
A UUP spokesman said the party’s second visit to Dublin in a week was designed to explain “the reasons behind our moves to exclude Sinn Féin from the Northern Ireland executive because of the continuing failure of the IRA to decommission its illegal weaponry”.
The party delegation is also due to meet Fine Gael leader Michael Noonan and Labour leader Ruairí Quinn and US ambassador Richard Egan.
Meanwhile the assembly business committee has decided two rival unionist motions calling for Sinn Féin’s expulsion from government because of the IRA’s refusal to disarm are to go ahead.
The motions will be debated on Monday 8 October with the UUP motion taking precedence.
Mr Trimble however has made it clear that if either motion fails to get cross community support from assembly members he and his party will withdraw from the Northern Ireland Executive.
Mr Trimble's comments have been regarded by the SDLP as unhelpful. Fermangh and South Tyrone SDLP assemblyman Tommy Gallagher said on Tuesday: "The remarks by the Ulster Unionist leader today are at aodds with this political strategy. Once again unionists are returning to a strategy based on ultimatums, which has not served the process well in the past." (AMcE)
He was speaking before travelling to Dublin with acting First Minister Sir Reg Empey to hold crisis peace process talks with the Taoiseach Bertie Ahern on Tuesday evening.
A UUP spokesman said the party’s second visit to Dublin in a week was designed to explain “the reasons behind our moves to exclude Sinn Féin from the Northern Ireland executive because of the continuing failure of the IRA to decommission its illegal weaponry”.
The party delegation is also due to meet Fine Gael leader Michael Noonan and Labour leader Ruairí Quinn and US ambassador Richard Egan.
Meanwhile the assembly business committee has decided two rival unionist motions calling for Sinn Féin’s expulsion from government because of the IRA’s refusal to disarm are to go ahead.
The motions will be debated on Monday 8 October with the UUP motion taking precedence.
Mr Trimble however has made it clear that if either motion fails to get cross community support from assembly members he and his party will withdraw from the Northern Ireland Executive.
Mr Trimble's comments have been regarded by the SDLP as unhelpful. Fermangh and South Tyrone SDLP assemblyman Tommy Gallagher said on Tuesday: "The remarks by the Ulster Unionist leader today are at aodds with this political strategy. Once again unionists are returning to a strategy based on ultimatums, which has not served the process well in the past." (AMcE)
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A cloudy day with outbreaks of mainly light rain at times, although there may be the odd heavier burst. Driest in the south and east during the afternoon. Moderate southwesterly winds. Maximum temperature 11 °C.Tonight:Staying cloudy throughout the evening and overnight period with a little rain or drizzle at times. Mild overnight with light winds. Minimum temperature 7 °C.
