The Stormont talks stalled as DUP and Sinn Fein cannot find common-grounds for their Power-Sharing!

Today the Stormont talks in Northern Ireland was stopped after the negotiations wasn’t bearing fruit, the differences between Sinn Fein and Democratic Unionist Party we’re to big. Their approach to the devolution and previous agreements was apparently different. That is why the stalemate in Northern Ireland continues. This because the DUP are now in a ‘Confidence and Supply’ agreement with the Conservative Party.

It is ironic and sad that the DUP of Northern Ireland has to ask for the Taoiseach and Prime Minister of United Kingdom to participate in the talks. As the parties cannot find solutions or just actions to the problems ahead. Especially since the Prime Minister are already loyal to her partners in the DUP and not the Northern Ireland as a whole. She needs the DUP to have majority support in the House of Commons. They are a needed party to suffice her powers in London. That there are devolution problems and grand impartiality problems involved seems to come to the forefront.

That the Good Friday Agreement (GFA) seems to dwindle away, together with the 3 strands. There are little movement and any significant proof that Prime Minister Theresa May will salvage this now. She has already gotten invested with the DUP and that will over-power the Republicans of the Northern Ireland.

That Downing Street says James Brokenshire will engaged in the talks between the parties this coming week, isn’t giving me much ease. He is a crony of the London mob and the Conservative Party. It is not like he can deliver anything else than the memo’s and assigned mission of London. Not that the Sinn Fein or other parties of Northern Ireland will be respected. The Impartiality of London and United Kingdom is clearly a balance they cannot find now. That is why the talks are stalling and the deadline for devolution has passed.

It doesn’t matter what was said in the direct agreement between the DUP and Conservative Party, neither the Queens Speech. That is knickknacks of it all, but should not surprise anyone of the seriousness of the stalled approach to the GFA and devolution from London. As Sinn Fein came with this statement today:

Commenting after talks at Stormont today Sinn Féin MLA Gerry Kelly said:

Talks in Stormont broke up tonight without any agreement” (…) “The Sinn Fein negotiating team will be back at Stormont Castle tomorrow” (…) “After weeks of negotiations there is still no agreement by the DUP on the issues, of Acht na Gaeilge, the Bill of Rights, marriage equality, anti-sectarian measures, integrity and legacy, which collapsed the Assembly in January.” (Gerry Kelly, 30.06.2017).

That the other parties want to end the stalemate and give a new try for a power-sharing agreement between the DUP and Sinn Fein is clear. As they want the government running and make sure policies which is good for Northern Ireland appears again. Even if that means the misspending DUP and their Energy development needs to handled. Before the DUP uses their powers into new shady deals, even if they now have the support and the possible hand in the cookie jar in London. That can be seen by the massive tax-money spending in Northern Ireland. This because of the coalition between the DUP and Tories.

We can just see if the DUP and Tories will break the GFA totally, if they will stall the power-sharing or really create a non-government in Northern Ireland. So the devolution from Ireland and United Kingdom will not proceed in Belfast. Peace.

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A New Report finds that the Tories and EU are “in deep water” concerning the implementing the Brexit and at the same time honoring the Good Friday Agreement!

There are enough troubles over the seas and between the British Islands. It isn’t enough that a Northern Irish political party is forming a coalition with the Conservative Party. The Tories and Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) that is enough for breaking the impartiality in the devolution and following the Good Friday Agreement alone. But there are other parts of the Belfast Agreement or Good Friday Agreement that get touched in the possible break-up between the European Union and United Kingdom, which has the Northern Ireland as part of it. Therefore, the released report from House of the Oireachtas is important. What the reports point at is all the aspects that will affect the Northern Ireland and their citizens. As well, as the promised possibilities of movement of people and goods between Northern Ireland and Ireland. The Republic of Ireland and United Kingdom is jointly part of the Good Friday, they both have responsibilities towards the peace process and the devolution in Northern Ireland.

But to not put word in the mouth of the report. The issues it address, it does well on it is own!

For Strand 1 (Assembly and Executive), the question arises of whether powers held now at EU level will be devolved unchanged to the Assembly if the UK passes a ‘Great Repeal Bill’ intended to repatriate powers from the EU to the UK. Should it be decided to first change and then devolve these powers (e.g. in relation to employment rights or environmental standards), it is possible that there would be implications for the rights guaranteed by the Good Friday Agreement” (…) “For Strand 2 (North-South cooperation) it has been noted that the limited scope of the North South Ministerial Council (NSMC) and North-South implementation bodies means that much of their focus at present centres on EU-related work, for example management of EU funding and coordination on compliance with EU regulations. If Brexit means there is no longer an EU focus to Strand 2 the question arises as to how to ensure this Strand remains meaningful. It has been suggested that Strand 2 might provide a mechanism for enhanced North-South cooperation in the event of Brexit” (Houses of the Oireachtas, P: 11, 2017).

In total, since its inception 21 years ago the PEACE programme has provided over €2.2bn for important reconciliation work in Northern Ireland and the Irish border region, and INTERREG, since its inception 25 years ago, has provided over €1.1bn to encourage cross border cooperation in job creation and infrastructure development in Ireland, Northern Ireland and Western Scotland” (Houses of the Oireachtas, P: 23, 2017). “One of the main concerns expressed by many witnesses is the future of PEACE and INTERREG when the current programmes finish in 2020. The Committee notes and welcomes the UK Government’s commitment to guarantee EU funding until the end of 2020 but the uncertainty after that period is deeply worrying” (Houses of the Oireachtas, P: 24, 2017).

Now, more than ever before in the face of such political and economic uncertainty and instability in Northern Ireland, the importance of programmes that address issues such as intercommunity conflict, reconciliation, cross border cooperation and relationships, the development of infrastructure and jobs, needs to be recognised and these programmes protected. The Committee urges the Government to ensure the matter of EU funding for Northern Ireland and the border region remains high on the agenda and an expeditious solution is found for successor programmes after 2020” (Houses of the Oireachtas, P: 26, 2017).

The statements of the UK Government and the European Union acknowledging the importance of not returning to a hard border are welcome. Yet the uncertainty around what arrangements will be put in place and how these might affect trade flows, businesses with branches on both sides, movement of people living on one side and working in another is already taking a heavy toll. Brexit has also sharpened the focus on the immense gains of an invisible border, gains that for many had been heretofore taken for granted and underestimated but that are now keenly appreciated as their existence becomes threatened. These include economic gains (see the unemployment statistics below), as well as social, cultural and most importantly psychological gains” (Houses of the Oireachtas, P: 27, 2017).


“This weakness is likely to be compounded by Brexit with an expected reduction in cross border trade and economic cooperation, loss of FDI and loss of EU economic development funding. Northern Ireland’s anticipated 12.5% corporation tax rate was expected to boost inward investment however this was largely predicated on continued EU membership and access to the single market. The Committee further heard that the Brexit vote had already brought a considerable degree of uncertainty which is negatively impacting businesses and SMEs and is likely to remain for years. Businesses are less likely to invest in an unstable climate and Brexit is already creating barriers to the efficient conduct of business. Smaller businesses (SMEs) dependent on exports to Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK are being particularly badly hit” (Houses of the Oireachtas, P: 28, 2017).

The Common Travel Area predates Irish and British EU membership. It allows for free movement of Irish and British citizens between the islands of Ireland and Great Britain and guarantees the rights of Irish and British citizens to live and work in each other’s jurisdictions. However, there is no precedent for its operation with one State inside the EU and the other outside it” (Houses of the Oireachtas, P: 30, 2017).

The Committee acknowledges that much progress has been made but there remains a long way to go in addressing many outstanding legacy issues, dealing with ongoing justice and security matters and breaking down barriers and divisions between communities, both at a psycho-social level and in terms of access to services. Northern Ireland still faces enduring challenges of building and restoring inter-community harmony and addressing the legacy of its troubled history. It should be noted that the issue of sectarianism remains a significant problem in Northern Ireland. According to Cooperation Ireland, 95% of social housing in Northern Ireland is segregated; just 5% of children go to integrated schools. There were 18 so-called “peace walls” before the Good Friday Agreement, but there were 88 of them in 2008 – an incredible 70 additional walls erected since the Good Friday Agreement” (Houses of the Oireachtas, P: 34, 2017).

The Good Friday Agreement, in effect, provided equal identity to all. Many have availed of their right to hold an Irish passport. This gives rise to the unprecedented situation in which several hundred thousand Irish citizens, resident in Northern Ireland, will, overnight, and in most cases against their will, find themselves outside the European Union. As noted by Cooperation Ireland, “leaving the EU could raise issues of identity in ways that none of us can yet see.” (…) “Dr Morrow further cautioned that “unilateralism in the context of the Good Friday Agreement and uncertainty are both really serious and significant issues, all of which have potentially very major knock-on effects in a context of fragility.” (Houses of the Oireachtas, P: 35, 2017).

Brexit must not be a distraction from the important work of reconciliation, the full implementation of the Good Friday Agreement, addressing legacy issues and building cooperation. Northern Ireland’s concerns for stability and a continuing and seamless expression of Irish citizenship and identity require a unique answer and focus. We cannot see restrictions on movement of people again. Brexit is already having a psychological impact. It is absolutely essential to ensure there is no diminution or unravelling of the still fragile peace process. Dialogue must be encouraged at all times, between all parties and stakeholders within Northern Ireland, and on an all island basis” (House of the Oireachtas, P: 36, 2017).

Clearly, the Brexit implicates the Northern Irish very much not only the impartiality of the Tories government with a DUP infused powered cabinet. The Tories have to make sure the Good Friday Agreement are respected as part of the negotiations in the Brexit agreements. Therefore, the movement of Northern Irish together with a soft border between the Republic and the Northern Ireland is important. As both states United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland has stakes in Northern Ireland. The citizenship and devolution has to work together with becoming independent from the European Union. That is a hard bargain. The dialogue between the parties in Northern Ireland and the Tories government.

We can just see how the much all parties will respect the Good Friday Agreement, if the United Kingdom or the European Union together with their Member State Republic of Ireland want’s to honor the Northern Irish constituents. Certainly, the negotiations are just starting as the Brexit time table is only beginning for the Tories and their team. However, the Good Friday Agreement and the implications should be well-known for the United Kingdom and European Union. Therefore, to respect the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland, should be very important, so that the state of affairs and the peaceful progress of the Belfast Agreement can implemented and also create a sustainable peace. There are enough stirring waters already, doesn’t need questionable behavior from London to make it worse. But that is only what time would tell. Clearly, the Tories government has to either sink or swim, but no matter what their feet will get wet. Peace.

Reference:

Houses of the Oireachtas – ‘Joint Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement – The Implications of Brexit for the Good Friday Agreement: Key Findings’ (June 2017).

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Tories-DUP: Not able to seal the DUP deal before the Queens Speech, PM May is wobbling into the future!

Theresa May is still struggling to have a majority government, as he the Queens Speech are happening within hours. The Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) is playing hard with them and showing them how to negotiate. As they know they have most of the leverage and what Prime Minister Theresa May needs after a flawed and botched election campaign.

The Conservative Party under PM May looks like chaos and talks like chaos. Brexit Minister David Davis had to give way and accept the terms of the European Union, since the Cabinet and Parliament isn’t put into play yet, as the Queen hasn’t blessed the hallow halls in London. Certainly, the minority power of Northern Ireland is now playing with her.

Theresa May are clearly between rocks and no soft spaces. She is stuck between either a worse place or axing. Even as the disarray and uncertainty is not the stable government she pledged during the election, neither the reason for the election in the first place. The Tories isn’t building bridges or structures worth trust. More making sure they stay in office, than actually having plans and things in order. Just like it was revealed after the Brexit Referendum election, the Brexiteers who was running the campaign like Nigel Farage and Boris Johnson really had white paper on how to leave the Union. Instead, that has come in the months after the campaign and it has been very light reading.

The Tories, PM May are hanging by the thread since the 10 MPs that gives majority to Conservative Government is clearly not an easy buy-out for power. Since Arlene Foster now officially can control the Tories and their agenda for the next term. That is why the Queen has to be in the sorry state, where the Prime Minister and the Cabinet cannot inform her on the policy changes or more constructive legislation to speak-off. Since we don’t know if they are going to have orange marches in Oxford and London now. As a part of the agreement between Tories and DUP. They could even offer the most amazing infrastructure plan for Northern Ireland and lax border-control between Ireland and Northern Ireland. But who knows what sort of way the Tories has go to please the DUP?

Certainly, DUP can push their policies and what they need to deliver to their constituencies. The same can be said by the Tories, but the Tories are the partner who needs DUP. Not the other way around. The DUP and Tories if they are going together has lose key causes. That is the normal for any sort of agreement between two political parties forming a government or a coalition. If it wasn’t giving and taking, it would be one-party majority who did as they pleased. Something the Tories did until the election, which is ironic.

Arlene Foster can bushwhack London government and with full velocity, something they have clearly already done. The sources to Sky News and BBC News hasn’t been hopeful today, and seemingly, the chaos that May promised the voters if they voted for either SNP, Lib-Dems or Labour, has happen to her. It has hit the Tories like a wrecking-ball, we can just wait now for the back-stabbing and the ugly internal notes leaking to the press. This will describe the in-fighting and centralized control under May.

It isn’t only that DUP have control of the coalition, but the problems it can create in the negotiations after the peace-agreements in Northern Ireland and the National Assembly of Stormont. The outspoken Sinn Fein and others has their rights to be skeptic about the whole arrangement. The impartiality is out of the window with the clear gateway into Cabinet policy in London. The Belfast and Northern Ireland Peace Agreements are torn when the ink on the paper between DUP and Tories are official. That historical document will seal the definition of London Accord of forgetting the Good Friday Agreement.

Certainly, we will then officially know what is the most important for the Tories, not the United Kingdom, neither stability for the British Isle’s, only keeping themselves in power, and that by any means. Since they haven’t had good and thorough plans for Brexit, neither for the coalition, therefore the Tories are stumbling from one crisis into another. With all of this they might start eating “a whole other kettle of fish”. But as long as May stay in power the Tories thinks they are fine. But the Brexit negotiations might be hard and troubling as 7000 deals with the European Union (EU) has to be finalized during the next two years. At the same time they now has to consider more often the implications of the peace agreements in Northern Ireland and also kiss the ring of Arlene Foster.

Certainly, this will not be a walk in the park. This will be hurdle after hurdle. Wonder when it going to end and how this story is ending in certain peace. Since the Tories, PM May and Foster are clearly playing with high-stakes and not considering the implications of their actions. Since they just reacts and trying to save face by any means! Peace.

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