Menu
02/10/2008
North-South Summit In Doubt As NI Executive Fails To Meet
The DUP and Sinn Fein are still at loggerheads over the timescale of the devolution of policing and justice, with the latter refusing to attend 'Cabinet' meetings until the matter is resolved.
A North-South Ministerial Council meeting scheduled for Friday is now also in doubt too.
While the top politicians Peter Robinson and Martin McGuinness sat side-by-side on Wednesday afternoon at a Stormont Committee meeting, where both reaffirmed their commitment to make the Executive work, Mr McGuinness said it was still "highly unlikely" today's stalled NI Executive would happen - even though it is now three and a half months since it last met.
Earlier, Mr Robinson had offered an 'open agenda' for an Executive meeting where all issues would be up for discussion.
But, Sinn Féin is insisting on prior "agreement between the First and Deputy First Minister on what papers should go forward" before any long-awaited and now (again) postponed NI Executive meeting can take place.
Ironically, the First and Deputy First Ministers said yesterday "they will work to break the current stalemate" at Stormont, with Mr McGuinness insisting he was not going to give up on finding a solution.
"This is not something that we are going to fall out about," he told Committee members.
"I do not think the First Minister and myself are 'huffers'" - we are not going to go into a corner and give up on the process," he said, but there are now also doubts over whether or not the planned North-South Ministerial Council meeting, which was supposed to go ahead on Friday will take place.
First Minister Peter Robinson said he wanted all of the Stormont institutions to work properly.
"I think that it would be unfortunate if we were to be stalling the work of any of the institutions," he said.
(BMcC)
A North-South Ministerial Council meeting scheduled for Friday is now also in doubt too.
While the top politicians Peter Robinson and Martin McGuinness sat side-by-side on Wednesday afternoon at a Stormont Committee meeting, where both reaffirmed their commitment to make the Executive work, Mr McGuinness said it was still "highly unlikely" today's stalled NI Executive would happen - even though it is now three and a half months since it last met.
Earlier, Mr Robinson had offered an 'open agenda' for an Executive meeting where all issues would be up for discussion.
But, Sinn Féin is insisting on prior "agreement between the First and Deputy First Minister on what papers should go forward" before any long-awaited and now (again) postponed NI Executive meeting can take place.
Ironically, the First and Deputy First Ministers said yesterday "they will work to break the current stalemate" at Stormont, with Mr McGuinness insisting he was not going to give up on finding a solution.
"This is not something that we are going to fall out about," he told Committee members.
"I do not think the First Minister and myself are 'huffers'" - we are not going to go into a corner and give up on the process," he said, but there are now also doubts over whether or not the planned North-South Ministerial Council meeting, which was supposed to go ahead on Friday will take place.
First Minister Peter Robinson said he wanted all of the Stormont institutions to work properly.
"I think that it would be unfortunate if we were to be stalling the work of any of the institutions," he said.
(BMcC)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
21 November 2024
Work Underway For Free Hospital Parking In Northern Ireland
Work has begun at several hospital sites across Northern Ireland as part of the preparations for the introduction of free car parking in May 2026. Health and Social Care Trusts have been actively preparing for the implementation of a new traffic management system since the Hospital Parking Charges Act was passed in 2022.
Work Underway For Free Hospital Parking In Northern Ireland
Work has begun at several hospital sites across Northern Ireland as part of the preparations for the introduction of free car parking in May 2026. Health and Social Care Trusts have been actively preparing for the implementation of a new traffic management system since the Hospital Parking Charges Act was passed in 2022.
14 November 2024
Ministers Recognise Work Of US Special Envoy Joe Kennedy
The First Minister and deputy First Minister has thanked U.S. Special Envoy to Northern Ireland for Economic Affairs, Joe Kennedy III, for his contribution to furthering economic links with the U.S. The Special Envoy is in Belfast for a series of events marking his term in office.
Ministers Recognise Work Of US Special Envoy Joe Kennedy
The First Minister and deputy First Minister has thanked U.S. Special Envoy to Northern Ireland for Economic Affairs, Joe Kennedy III, for his contribution to furthering economic links with the U.S. The Special Envoy is in Belfast for a series of events marking his term in office.
23 January 2009
North West Venue For North-South Summit
Marking its own little bit of history, the North-South Ministerial Council is today meeting for the first time ever in Londonderry. It is also the first gathering of the body since DUP Leader, Peter Robinson became Northern Ireland's First Minister and Brian Cowen took charge in the Irish Republic.
North West Venue For North-South Summit
Marking its own little bit of history, the North-South Ministerial Council is today meeting for the first time ever in Londonderry. It is also the first gathering of the body since DUP Leader, Peter Robinson became Northern Ireland's First Minister and Brian Cowen took charge in the Irish Republic.
04 June 2021
DUP To Attend Next North-South Ministerial Meeting
DUP leader Edwin Poots has said he will lead a team to the next north-south ministerial meeting on 18 June. He was speaking after meeting with Taoiseach Micheál Martin. He said: "It would be my intention to lead the DUP team to that meeting. "I believe that there are important issues that we need to discuss and deal with.
DUP To Attend Next North-South Ministerial Meeting
DUP leader Edwin Poots has said he will lead a team to the next north-south ministerial meeting on 18 June. He was speaking after meeting with Taoiseach Micheál Martin. He said: "It would be my intention to lead the DUP team to that meeting. "I believe that there are important issues that we need to discuss and deal with.
17 December 2014
Calls For Stormont Opposition Unveiled
A government paper given to the Northern Ireland Assembly last week, reveals that a Stormont opposition could be in place by March of next year. According to a report by the BBC, the paper calls for official recognition of opposition parties, who would be "entitled to ministerial positions in the executive, but choose not to take them up".
Calls For Stormont Opposition Unveiled
A government paper given to the Northern Ireland Assembly last week, reveals that a Stormont opposition could be in place by March of next year. According to a report by the BBC, the paper calls for official recognition of opposition parties, who would be "entitled to ministerial positions in the executive, but choose not to take them up".
-
Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:A dry night, save for a few light showers around the coasts, with prolonged clear spells and light winds bringing a frosty dawn for many in central and southern parts. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
