Why the deal wont work.

clare | miscellaneous | opinion/analysis

Friday December 10, 2004 21:51

by An Púca

flannbui at yahoo dot com

A brief analysis of the proposed Paisley- Adams deal for the 6 counties.

My thoughts on how a S.F./D.U.P. government will work.(Or not.)

Ive been following the news reports, press conferences and analysis of the "Deal" in the 6 counties over the last few days. While Tim O Malley of the P.D.'s, Caoimhín Ó Caoláin S.F., Gerry and Dr. No (Paisley) battle over the wording of statements, the need or not for humiliation and photos one thing has become very clear. A deal was, and possibly is still is very close. But no one seems to be asking the big question If a deal is agreed is it actually workable?

We allready had a "deal" six years ago the G.F.A. The Shinners wanted it implemented fully ie. the Patten report on policing and Britains commitment to demilitarisation, Trimble and the British Government said the Shinners hadnt lived up to their end of the bargain. Big Ian wanted a new deal and it looks as if he might just get one.

Supposing that by Christmass a deal is struck. That means Sinn Féin will be junior coalition partners with the D.U.P. Is Ian Paisley as the First Minister going to walk out of Stormont and say "Lahdies ahnd ghentlemen iht gives mah greath pleassure ta intraduce ta ye the newh deputty first ministher of Nurthern Ahrland Mr. Jarry Adams" Gerry standing beside him will shake his hand warmly, turn to the press, smile and start rattling off his usual lines ás Gaeilge "A chairde a dháoine úsaille tá anna áthas orm á beith ann innú......" This is an unlikely prospect. Big Ian refuses to talk to "terrorists" and has never during this process ever sat down to hold discussions with Gerry Adams. Even though they were both in the same radio studio earlier this week Ian refused to sit beside, look at or even speak directly to Gerry. How can we realisticly expect these two men to lead a coalition government together in the poorest and most bitterly divided area of Ireland if they cannot discuss any subject face to face.
Sinn Féin a Left Republican/Socialist party are expected to form a working government with the Democratic Unionist Party a right wing Unionist/Conservative/Christian fundamentalist party even though they cannot work together on town councills in the 6 counties. This marriage would be as likely to survive as a coalition between the Progressive Democrats and the Socialist Workers Party.

S.F. and the D.U.P. 's policies are completely different and not just on the national question.
S.F. have been supportive of immigrants rights and standing on the anti racist platform while the D.U.P. have been objecting to planning permission for mosques in the north after complaining that all those arabs wailing would keep the locals up all night.
What would their economic policy be?
Their attitude to foreign policy?
How will funding for public housing be allocated in Derry?
How would theS.F. / D.U.P. coalition handle contentious secterian marches like Druncree?
Would that government support water charges in the 6 counties?
How would they allocate funding to cultural organiseations or the arts?

For example what if Sinn Féin proposed funding be allocated for bi-lingual sineage?Paisley once screamed at a French journalist "Is that Irish you're speaking if it is you can get the hell out of here!" If a new factory is trying to set up in Belfast Paisley will insist it stays East of the Lagan and Adams that it goes West. No one in our media has decided to discuss how the two parties will actually work together on bread and butter issues.

Perhaps the Provos and Paisly will come to an agreement. Maybe the D.U.P. will be satisfied with an artists impression rather than a photo or maybe Rev. Ian will get to the part in the bible that reads "Blessed are they who have not seen and who still believe." and decides its a sign from the allmighty.The reality is that a coalition of partners who have completely different political ideologies and who refuse to discuss any subject in person or sit at one table cannot form a working government. Like our own squalid Leinster house the only motions which attain near unanaminity in Stormont involve giving the M.L.A.'s greater expences or pay increases.
The deal is possible, but the government is unworkable.

Is míse
An Púca

P.S. Why isnt there a Nothern Ireland section on the topics selection?