Greens '˜would consider contentious justice minister role'

Green Party NI Assembly member Steven Agnew has not ruled himself out as a potential holder of the politically sensitive post if the Alliance Party refuses to retake the job.

However, he said significant changes would be required on the proposed Democratic Unionist/Sinn Fein programme for government, with more emphasis on eco-friendly investment policies and integrated education, before he could contemplate joining the Stormont Executive.

“I saw parties in the last mandate have positions in government but no positions of power,” he said when asked if he would consider taking the post if offered.

“I would go in to assess whether or not I would have any power, any say in the decision making, and it would be on that basis I would make any decision.”

Alliance’s stance on whether to accept a DUP/Sinn Fein offer to again take on the job it has done since 2010 has become crucial to the success of on-going talks to form the next coalition government in Belfast.

If the cross-community party declines, the Stormont Executive will be facing another crisis, just weeks after the Assembly election.

Unlike most ministerial posts in the powersharing administration, the Justice Minister can only be appointed with the backing of both a majority of nationalist and a majority of unionist MLAs.

DUP leader Arlene Foster has already made clear her party would not consent to Sinn Fein taking the post.

Given Mrs Foster’s stance, her republican partners in government are highly unlikely to support a DUP incumbent.

Since justice powers were devolved to Stormont in 2010, the unwillingness of the DUP and Sinn Fein to let the other take the justice ministry has been overcome by the Alliance Party agreeing to fill the post.

However, if Alliance follows the lead already taken by the Ulster Unionists and refuses to join the new administration, then the two main parties will have to find another agreed minister - or else an Executive cannot be formed.

While the SDLP also remains in negotiations to form an executive, it is unlikely both the DUP and Sinn Fein would support the nationalist party taking on justice.

In that context, the Green Party - which has two seats in the 108 seat legislature - has been mooted as potential alternative.

Talks between the DUP, Sinn Fein, SDLP and Alliance on a proposed five-year programme for government (PFG) continued at Stormont on Tuesday.

The DUP and Sinn Fein have a deadline of next Wednesday to form an administration

Mr Agnew, who said he had not been approached by the main parties on the issue, said the draft PFG was significantly lacking in detail.

“My view very much is it’s all aspirational - it says we want good things, we don’t want bad things,” he said.

“If that’s the main document of this next government I think it makes Northern Ireland a laughing stock.”

He added: “I have consistently said that I will take every opportunity to get the policies of the Green Party enacted in government, but equally what I won’t do is simply go in and take a position to prop up the DUP and Sinn Fein.”

Mr Agnew said he would need to see progress on his party’s key manifesto pledges.

“If there’s no progressive change can be made by having a Green Party minister then we are better in opposition holding those parties to account,” he said.