Assembly in 'farcical' emergency Gaza debate
UNIONISTS have denounced the "farcical" emergency recall of the Assembly to discuss the Middle East yesterday – despite Stormont having no remit in foreign affairs.
A motion by independent MLAs Kieran Deeny and Gerry McHugh, with the signatures of 30 MLAs, saw MLAs return from their constituencies yesterday to debate the Israeli naval blockade of Gaza.
Politicians debated a motion noting that Mairead Corrigan Maguire from Belfast was in the flotilla seeking to deliver aid to Gaza, and which called for Israel to end its blockade of the region.
But DUP Assemblyman Peter Weir branded the debate "sad and disappointing", saying that it would have no effect on the Middle East.
Mr Weir noted that in the mid-1970s Ms Corrigan Maguire had led the Peace People, who campaigned against paramilitary violence at the height of the Northern Ireland Troubles.
In a rebuke to republicans, he said that if she had been heeded to 30 years ago, lives could have been saved.
The SDLP's Alban Maginness later endorsed the point, but said that if more people listened to her today, more lives could be saved.
Sinn Fein's John O'Dowd defended the debate, claiming that it could send a message to the region that "there is an alternative to armed conflict".
But Ulster Unionist Danny Kennedy said it was an issue for Westminster, adding that in the light of finance minister Sammy WIlson's warning about looming budget cuts deeper than any since the 1970s, MLAs had other matters to discuss.
"Local government reform and education are in disarray, a man was shot dead in broad daylight in Belfast this week and yet not one of the members who signed the petition feels the need to recall the Assembly to make progress on these vital issues for Northern Ireland," he said.
East Antrim UUP MLA Roy Beggs refused to attend the "farce of a debate", saying that he instead spent the time in his constituency office.
The Alliance Party's Stephen Farry defended the decision to debate the issue and backed the motion - which on Monday will be voted on -but said that simple comparisons could not be made between Northern Ireland and the Middle East.
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Sunday 27 May 2012
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