20.8.2006
Friday, 18 August, 2006
Sinn Féin and SDLP lock horns in political debate
SF accuse SDLP of ‘obsessive attacks’ on all things republican
By Ciaran O’Neill
The political temperature in the North rose significantly yesterday, as the SDLP and Sinn Féin launched vicious attacks on each other.
The quiet political summer season ended as Sinn Féin accused the SDLP of ‘obsessive attacks’ on republicans and of aligning itself with the DUP on a number of issues.
However, in response, the SDLP claimed that Sinn Féin had walked ‘themselves into trouble’ in the political process and was now ‘lashing out like a wounded animal’.
The parties traded insults as the focus remained on the November 24 deadline set by the Irish and British governments for the restoration of devolution in the North.
Sinn Féin Assembly Group Leader John O’Dowd said it was important that pressure was maintained on the DUP to end their ‘rejectionist position’ and embrace the political institutions laid out in the Good Friday Agreement.
“Instead, the leadership of the SDLP currently find themselves aligned with Ian Paisley on many key issues, on policing, criminal justice, Community Restorative Justice, 28 day detention without trial, MI5 phone-taps, reform of local government and the maintenance of MLAs salaries,” he said.
“In recent days senior SDLP members have joined the DUP in disgraceful attacks on the GAA.
“Instead of joining with Sinn Féin in demanding the maximum change, the SDLP is engaged in obsessive attacks on all things republican, attacks which are music to the ears of the DUP.”
Mr O’Dowd said his party would not be ‘bullied’ by the DUP.
“We will continue to demand the maximum change, proper policing and to drive forward the all-Ireland agenda. Unlike the SDLP, our focus is on defending the Good Friday Agreement against DUP rejectionism.”
However, SDLP Upper Bann MLA Dolores Kelly claimed Sinn Féin’s ‘failed negotiating techniques’ played into the hands of the DUP.
She said: “Every time Sinn Féin walk themselves into trouble, they lash out at the SDLP while in the same breath they demand that we save their hide once again.
“John O’Dowd’s latest rant plays fast and loose with the truth and the facts on who is protecting the Good Friday Agreement.
“The DUP rejectionists have got the upper hand because Sinn Féin gave it to them.
“In 2004 Sinn Féin aligned themselves with the DUP and signed up to the so-called Comprehensive Agreement which gave the DUP extensive vetoes on nationalist ministers and opened the way to a Shadow Assembly. Gerry Adams called it a good deal and a job well done. It was neither, and now nationalists are paying the price for their negotiating failure.”
Mrs Kelly said the SDLP had rejected the ‘Sinn Féin/DUP deal’ and continued to reject it.
“We will not accept the watering down of essential protections in the Good Friday Agreement to suit any party. Instead of lashing out like a wounded animal, Sinn Féin should focus on what it could do to move things forward, starting with signing up fully for a lawful society.”
Copyright © 2006 Daily Ireland