Decision time coming for DUP: McGuinness

Sinn Féin’s Martin McGuinness has said that political negotiations in the province are “fast coming to decision time”, particularly for the DUP.

Speaking at Stormont on Monday, the Mid Ulster MP questioned Ian Paisley’s commitment to the process asking whether he was going to accept the core principles of the Good Friday Agreement or “attempt through the two governments to erode the power sharing fundamentals of the Agreement as they attempt to reintroduce unionist rule”.

"The fundamentals of the Good Friday Agreement include the broad principles of power sharing, equality, all-Ireland institutions and the checks and balances, the protections, which are central to this,” Mr McGuinness said.

“They were designed to prevent the sort of abuses we had previously under unionist governments and which continue to exist in local councils under unionist control. These fundamentals are not up for negotiation.

"I have often said that I believe that the DUP and Sinn Féin will do a deal. So why not do this deal now. The DUP claim to be the confident and assertive leaders of unionism. So let us see some of that confidence. It is time for the DUP to decide if they accept power sharing, equality, the All-Ireland architecture and the fundamentals of the Good Friday Agreement or not."

Meanwhile, Secretary of State Paul Murphy is to have his first meeting with new Irish Foreign Minister Dermot Ahern following his brief recuperation period after collapsing at the Labour Party conference in Bournemouth two weeks ago.

It is expected both men will have discussions on how to move the political talks forward following progress made at Leeds Castle and Stormont last month. The meeting comes as officials from the British and Irish governments continue in their efforts to agree proposals with the political parties on the outstanding issues.

(MB/GMCG)