Alliance suggests how DUP and Sinn Fein could demonstrate stronger commitment to talks success

Alliance Deputy Leader Stephen Farry MLA has called on the DUP and Sinn Fein to provide strong and tangible evidence of their commitment to restoring the political institutions.

Dr Farry said while both parties were making clear their commitment to devolution, they were not providing confidence to each other and the wider community to understand their concerns and scepticism around their current positions.

He added such evidence would provide a stronger platform for talks.

“Both the DUP and Sinn Fein say they are fully committed to getting an Executive and Assembly up and running as soon as possible. But the prospects remain bleak, as they are talking past each other, with different understandings of what they mean and how to achieve it.

“Lingering suspicions remain each is playing a cynical game, with a ‘Plan B’ in the background. It is important they provide more tangible demonstrations of their commitment to devolution, and they have common ground and shared understandings of the potential way forward. Alliance is prepared to engage and assist in this.

“The DUP could say, without prejudice to specific outcomes on issues around the Irish Language, they acknowledge and understand the points raised by others about problems regarding lack of inclusion in past Executives and the failure to see a range of equality issues adequately addressed.

“In turn, Sinn Fein could provide clarification, without prejudice to their constitutional aspirations, they are committed to making a success of devolution and they have no interest in using political instability or chaos as a means of seeking to advance other agendas.

“Statements along these lines would be helpful, and followed by further concrete evidence could provide a more solid platform for the necessary agreements and understanding to be achieved to allow a swift restoration of devolution.”

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