Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Government considers DUP's devolution plan

Ian Graham
Saturday 07 February 2004 01:00 GMT
Comments

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

The Government was last night seriously considering proposals from the Rev Ian Paisley's hardline Democratic Unionist Party for the restoration of devolution in Northern Ireland before the IRA disarms.

Paul Murphy, the Northern Ireland Secretary, described the scheme as "very constructive" and said it could form the basis of further discussion in the review of the Good Friday Agreement which began this week. "There are some very interesting ideas. It could mean that devolution could be restored."

However the proposals found little favour with the main Northern Ireland parties and were dismissed outright by Sinn Fein.

Under the DUP scheme power would be vested in the 108-member assembly which would run the various government departments by agreement through votes with a weighted majority of unionists and nationalists.

Power would rest with the assembly but could be transferred to a voluntary coalition of ministers if the nationalist SDLP agreed to go into government with unionists without Sinn Fein.

A mandatory coalition government including Sinn Fein would be formed only if the IRA engaged in acts of completion, including total disarmament.

Mr Paisley said they had been told by all and sundry there was no alternative to the Good Friday Agreement, no Plan B and that the agreement could not be negotiated.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in