Sinn Fein
The Week in Review
16-23 October 2014

DUP failure to join talks slammed
On 17 October, as new all-party talks began in Belfast, Sinn Féin MP Conor Murphy called upon the DUP to `end its sham fight and join the all-party talks’. He said the DUP were `taking the public for fools if they persist with the charade that they won’t sit down in talks with the Irish government’.
The DUP were, he said `in the room when the Irish government was actively involved in the Hillsborough talks of 2010 on the issues of parades and the devolution of policing and justice powers’. He described as `ironic’ that DUP leader Peter Robinson had called for the talks `and then chooses to stay outside the room’.
He said the talks `need to start with a plenary where all parties commit to a process and agree a programme for work.’
The previous day, Sinn Fein’s Martin McGuinness said the DUP had shown `utter contempt’ to the British and Irish governments by refusing to attend the opening of talks.
Speaking after the opening session of talks, Mr McGuinness said the DUP refusal also showed contempt for the electorate.
He described the past two years has `appalling’ due to the unwillingness and refusal of the DUP and other unionists `to accept the democratic decision of Belfast City Council and parading’.
He added, `the refusal to honour commitments in relation to the the redevelopment of Long Kesh and most recently, the installation of a Sinn Féin Speaker are symptomatic of that.’
Mr McGuinness said that he was going into the talks `to make positive and constructive contributions so as to make these institutions work’, but he added, `they can only work on the basis of equality and a commitment to partnership’.
He concluded: `The two last years have been made appalling by the DUP’s refusal to honour agreements. The DUP are not at today’s plenary. There is clearly no credible process without a plenary where people illustrate their commitment to a process and can agree a work programme.’

Sinn Fein MP urges `pro-Agreement axis’
This week Sinn Fein MP Conor Murphy said there was a growing need to assert a `pro-agreement axis’, because the unionist anti-agreement axis presented a threat to Irish democracy and to the peace process.
Mr Murphy added that international opinion, which had shown overwhelming support for the peace process, was of key importance, and particularly in Britain, where the British government had allowed Unionist intransigence over progress to go largely unchallenged.
Mr Murphy was speaking from Belfast, to announce a major public event, hosted by Sinn Fein on 25 November in London, to raise discussion and awareness around the need to defend the Good Friday Agreement and ensure momentum around this, as the current talks are taking place an in the run up to next year’s Westminster elections. Mr Murphy said `the views of the Irish community in Britain, and of wider progressive opinion in support for the Good Friday Agreement need to be heard by all of the political parties and particularly those hoping to form the next British government’.
Earlier on 18 October, Conor Murphy On 18 October criticized British Secretary of State Theresa Villiers for `pandering to Unionists’ and that she had to realise `the Good Friday Agreement cannot be rewritten’.
Speaking after Theresa Villiers addressed the Ulster Unionist Party Conference Mr Murphy said her statement that the Irish Government will play little role in the political settlement of the North `runs contrary to the Good Friday Agreement’ and that the British Secretary of State had `no power to change that unilaterally’.
He said that `to date the contributions of Theresa Villiers on the issue of welfare cuts, the executive budget, parades and other unionist demands draws into question her political judgement and ability to command the respect necessary to reach agreement’

Why we need a pro-Agreement Axis. Public Meeting. Tuesday 25 November, 7.30pm, Boothroyd Room, Portcullis House SW1A OAA. Speakers include Conor Murphy MP. Further details to be announced. Email fisherj@parliament.uk to register and for further information.

Sinn Fein welcomes timely Lords debate on the past
Sinn Féin MP Michelle Gildernew said a debate on the issue of the past in the British House of Lords was `timely in the context of efforts to start all-party talks’.
The Fermanagh/South Tyrone MP said the debate, sponsored by former NIO Minister Lord Dubs, `could not come at a more opportune moment.
She said the topic of the debate was `very appropriate’ and recognised `the need for both governments to use their influence with the parties to reach agreement on outstanding issues and to build on what was achieved in the draft Haass conclusions’.
She said it was `important that people in Britain are aware of the seriousness of the situation in the North. There has been a drift by mainstream unionists towards a negative anti-Agreement axis’ and added `Lord Dubs debate will hopefully act as an impetus for the substantial support that exists in Britain for the peace process to let their voices be heard’.
She concluded: `it is important that all friends of the Good Friday Agreement speak out on the responsibility of the British government to do the right thing. It needs to use its considerable influence on unionism to bring the DUP in particular into genuine talks mode.’

Appointment of Senator Gary Hart welcomed
Sinn Féin Leader Gerry Adams and deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness have welcomed news of Senator Gary Hart’s new role as the US Secretary of State’s Personal Representative.
Mr Adams said Senator Hart’s international experience and long service `will bring a much needed dimension and urgency to the talks process’. He added, `the American Administration’s consistent involvement in the Irish Peace Process has been a valued and positive one.’
Martin McGuinness said that the appointment was `a positive indication of the US administration’s continuing interest in the development of the political process.’ He said it `sends out a clear message to everyone that we need to be involved in a proactive and constructive way if we are to have a credible process.’

McGuinness holds ‘constructive’ discussions with Welsh First Minister
Sinn Féin MLA Martin McGuinness welcomed ‘constructive’ discussions this week with Welsh First Minister, Carwyn Jones, aimed at securing a common approach with Scotland and Wales to ensure maximum decision-making powers in the three Assemblies.
Mr McGuinness was speaking after discussions in Cardiff between the First and deputy First Minister and the Welsh First Minister.
He said the discussions followed similar talks with Scottish First Minister Alex Salmond earlier that week and it was `clear the three Celtic administrations are facing many of the same challenges as a direct result of the British Government’s austerity agenda’.
He said there was `a combined will to use our collective strength as effectively as possible to protect the people we represent’ and added `while there are big challenges ahead, there are also opportunities, particularly as a result of the changes to devolution arrangements that are expected to follow the Scottish independence referendum’.
He said there was `a need and a willingness to co-operate on areas of commonality in this regard’ and that for his part, `I certainly feel the North needs to be seeking the additional powers and economic levers which will enable Executive departments to better serve the people we represent.
He said the powers `should be in the hands of an Executive elected by and accountable to the people of the North, not a Tory cabinet of millionaires in London who are wedded to an austerity agenda for ideological reasons.’

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