Unofficial Executive plan without SF
THE DUP, UUP and SDLP are planning to hold their own unofficial Stormont Executive get-together in the event that Sinn Fein will not sanction an official meeting.
The parties intend to discuss the energy and cost-of-living crisis and, in particular, a set of proposals from Social Development Minister Margaret Ritchie which include the idea of a 32 million relief package to help up to 160,000 homeowners with their electricity and gas bills.
The prospect of republicans agreeing to the Cabinet convening this afternoon, for the first time in three months, looked slim, as discussions between the DUP and Sinn Fein continued.
If there is no meeting it is thought talks will continue to try to get government back on track, but there is the possibility the DUP could take Sinn Fein ministers to court, alleging a breach of ministerial responsibility.
Meanwhile, a blame game appeared to be under way.
Republicans got in first when Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness wrote to First Minister Peter Robinson proposing that if an Executive meeting did not happen they instigate an emergency procedure which would allow for them to deal with fuel poverty matters, without a Cabinet meeting.
Unionists dismissed this as "a PR exercise".
Sinn Fein, realising that the public increasingly fails to understand why they are blocking government business – primarily over policing and justice devolution – in the face of a cost-of-living crisis, was looking for a way out, said UUP leader Sir Reg Empey.
Mr Robinson responded to Mr McGuinness's letter telling him his urgent procedure idea was a non-starter because the law said it could only happen when an issue was so important it could not await the next Executive meeting.
The DUP leader said an Executive meeting was scheduled for today.
He told the media he would be there for the gathering and expected Sinn Fein ministers to attend.
"There's a political, moral and legal responsibility to have the meeting," said Mr Robinson, again warning Sinn Fein that there would be legal consequences if they do not turn up.
It is understood he has been in talks with the UUP and SDLP to hold their own meeting on the Ritchie plans if republicans boycott once more.
But the problem is that the three ministerial parties cannot actually do anything concrete or approve the 32 million package without Mr McGuinness and colleagues.
The Deputy First Minister said he felt people would understand if it took another few days or maybe a week to get the Executive together, but would maybe lose patience after that.
It is believed the DUP and Sinn Fein have made some progress on matters dividing them – such as rural planning – but the Maze stadium and policing are still sticking points.
Mr McGuinness said his party was prepared to work "flat out" to resolve the impasse.
The DUP said there was no excuse and republicans were playing political games with people's lives amid the credit crunch.
Looking on, Sir Reg Empey said: "Sinn Fein are deliberately trying to twist and abuse procedures of government to avoid an Executive meeting and so not be seen to be stepping down."
It was "scandalous and outrageous" that republicans were playing fast and loose with the public's welfare.
He warned that they were taking the future of government back to the edge.
And the Alliance Party did not disagree.
Leader David Ford implored both the DUP and Sinn Fein: "Don't push Northern Ireland to the abyss again."
He added: "People are having sleepless nights over ever-increasing bills and the total chaos facing their children in relation to the 11-plus.
"The Executive is not tackling these vitally important issues and they must get back to work now or else they will lose the confidence of the public.
"There can be no more excuses from the DUP and Sinn Fein. I will not accept them and the public will certainly not accept them."
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Weather for Belfast
Tuesday 29 May 2012
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: 12 C to 21 C
Wind Speed: 7 mph
Wind direction: South west
Tomorrow
Light showers
Temperature: 12 C to 20 C
Wind Speed: 9 mph
Wind direction: South
