Statement

WEIR AND EASTON WELCOME DEAL AT HILLSBOROUGH 

Posted on: February 15, 2010

“The progress made at Hillsborough with the Hillsborough Castle Agreement is welcomed by us as good for unionism and good for the people of Northern Ireland. We have always stated that we support the devolution of policing and justice, provided it is done in a sound and stable manner. We understand people’s frustration with the pace of discussions, but this was necessary to ensure that the conditions were got right. Specifically on policing and justice, we have now negotiated a position to ensure that any Minister will be elected on a cross community basis, in effect ensuring that there will be no Sinn Fein Minister. The powers of the Minister will ensure that quasi-judicial and urgent decisions are taken by the Minister themselves, rather than having them caught up in a political Executive. Most crucially the operational independence of the courts and the Chief Constable have been preserved. 

On parades we have agreed a process which will lead to legislation which will abolish the Parades Commission. This has been welcomed publicly by the Loyal Orders, but the new process of dealing with Parades will be of advantage to the whole community by ensuring a more sensitive and productive approach will be taken to the issue. We have secured a massive financial package for policing and justice totaling about £1billion, which will not only help to deal with legacy issues such as hearing loss, and legal aid, but also secures policing and justice on a firm basis for the future. No wonder this has been welcomed by both the Chairman of the Police Board and the Chief Constable. Additionally, we have secured a package for part time reservists whose normal sacrifice been ignored by successive governments. 

For many people the key outcome of this deal will be the opportunity to build stability and to help the parties concentrate on the key issues facing Northern Ireland, such as education and the economy. The focus of a specially established Executive Committee to deal with these outstanding issues is surely to be welcomed by everyone, as will the message of political stability which will resonate around the world. It is hoped that the support of the American Government will in particular lead to increased investment and more jobs on the ground. 

Sadly there has been some scare mongering and lies put about this deal. For example, there will be no Irish Language Act, and any attempt to say otherwise is simply untrue. Hillsborough represents an opportunity for Northern Ireland as a whole to move forward, and it is incumbent on all of us to grasp the chance. There is a still a danger that this progress could be threatened by the failure of parties to support or implement this deal. We call upon everyone to join with us in helping to build a better Northern Ireland,  by adopting a mature approach and helping to build on this recent progress.”