It’s not too often that I agree with the views of Newton Emerson but when I read his column in the Irish News on Saturday I couldn’t help agree…..to a degree.
‘ SO Farewell then to the Good Friday Agreement which has been effectively killed by new legislation on policing and justice. Should the bill rushed through Westminster on Monday pass (which it will) then a whole new method of appointing a Stormont minister will come into law, along with new precedents for removing a minister, replacing a minister and defining a ministerial portfolio….. 28/2/2009 Newton Emerson, Irish News
I have it on good authority that SF are regular readers of no gloss, just matt, so for their benefit I will explain what Newton means by saying farewell to the Good Friday Agreement.
I will outline below a basic lesson on conflict resolution and how SF have been the willing deputy for the DUP and really damaged the GFA ……
Conflicts by and large are, in one way or another, centred on three areas of contention, 1) Power and abuse thereof, 2) Human Rights and violations thereof and 3) policing and justice.
So to tackle point 1 Cue constitutional power sharing and PR elections.
Point 2 Cue Equality Commission, Human Rights Commission and the proposed Bill of Rights.
Point 3 Cue Patten reforms, criminal justice review and the devolution of justice.
Everyone knows that it has been a constant feature and desire of the DUP to tear down the structures of the GFA, and there is evidence of SF assisting the DUP in this:
1)St. Andrew’s, for example, by removing inclusiveness i.e. a Ministers ability to disagree with the Executive and stay in government.
2) The DUP constantly attack strand II, North/South and the best SF can do is say that it is tactical…because of the EU election. It’s not tactical, it’s strategic, wake up!
3) And now we have the Devolution of Justice….
SF have aided and abetted the DUP in removing one of the most fundamental pillars of the GFA - d’Hondt! Why? In my opinion ,because of a lack of judgement, a short term desire to out manoeuvre the SDLP (or so they believe) and bolster themselves (Party before the People – the Sinn Féin way).
Now that the DUP have been able to pick away at one of the most fundamental features of the GFA not only unhindered, but assisted, how can SF argue that they shouldn’t be allowed to do it to any other aspect of the Agreement?
Now I know SF are known for putting themselves before the people – but this is outrageous.
Therefore Newton is right in a sense, it would be ‘farewell to the agreement’ because of SF’s evident weaknesses, but while the SDLP have representation, the GFA is going no where…..
