Meeting reviews progress after year of restored power-sharing
THE British and Irish Governments have met Stormont’s political leaders to review power-sharing a year since it was restored.
They discussed progress made as well as the unprecedented challenges posed by the pandemic.
A joint statement said: “In light of these challenges, the participants reaffirmed their shared commitment to ensuring the sustainable and effective operation of all the devolved institutions to ensure that the interests of the people of Northern Ireland are served by their democratically elected leaders, and committed themselves to the ongoing implementation of the New Decade, New Approach agreement.”
The deal agreed in January last year ended three years of stalemate.
A nurses strike over pay as well as the shooting dead of journalist Lyra Mckee by dissident republicans in Londonderry had spurred on negotiations.
Stormont power-sharing collapsed in January 2017 during a row over a botched green energy scheme.
Differences over the place of the Irish language helped stymie progress. Endless rounds of talks failed to find a resolution.
The accord included commitments on health and education as well as pledges of extra money made by the British and Irish Governments.
Ministers have expressed differences over the closure of schools and the pace at which the economy was reopened last summer.
During the pandemic they have co-operated in the delivery of significant amounts of financial aid for ailing businesses, ramped up testing, planned the roll-out of the vaccination campaign and tackled problems associated with a lack of protective equipment.
Speaking earlier Northern Ireland’s first and deputy first ministers said that while the past year of restored government at Stormont has been frustrating, progress has been made.
First Minister Arlene Foster said this happened despite the coronavirus pandemic impact. Deputy First Minister Michelle O’neill said while there had been challenges and tough decisions to be made, she was glad to have the Executive in place to make those choices.
The DUP leader said — despite the difficulties — a number of commitments had been brought about.
She highlighted the mental health action plan, reform of social housing, justice reform, a veterans commissioner, institutional abuse redress and flag-flying days brought into line with the rest of the UK.
“Progress has been made, but not as much as we would like,” she told BBC Good Morning Ulster.
She said mandatory coalition was a “difficult thing to make work”.
“We of course have ideologically opposed views. And I made that view clear last year when I said there were things we would never agree on. But what we have to do is search for the common ground.”
She said it was better to have an Executive in place.
Sinn Fein’s Michelle O’neill said last January was the start of a “new era in government”.
Although she admitted
at times it had been frustrating and challenging to work in a mandatory coalition.
“In any given set of circumstances that would always be difficult, you have five political parties with their own identity,” she said.
“That in itself is a challenge. “And then you take all the issues we have to deal with. I am very grateful we have an Executive in place to deal with this pandemic over the last year. I am very grateful we are there to show the political leadership that was required to take tough decisions.
“And I can tell you there have been some tough decisions required.
“We don’t always agree of course. We try our best to work together where we can.”