Ford says Sinn Féin and DUP lack the maturity to make Stormont work

2.00.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Tue 26th Aug 2008

Alliance Leader David Ford has said that Sinn Féin's threat to collapse the Assembly perfectly highlight the problems within the current Executive. His comments refer to the speech by Caoimhgín Ó Caoláin at a Sinn Féin meeting in County Cavan.

David Ford said: "It is clear that there is very little confidence between the DUP and Sinn Féin, with many unresolved items already on the Executive agenda.

"Unless all the parties demonstrate the political will to make the Assembly work, then policing and justice should not yet be entrusted with them.

"We need to see complete commitment to the democratic institution in Northern Ireland before a portfolio as serious as justice can be devolved.

"If Sinn Féin really wants to make a difference for people, it needs to make the current devolved departments work. It needs to help deliver better healthcare, better public transport and a stronger economy. The Executive has failed in all these areas.

"Why is Sinn Féin looking for extra responsibility considering they cannot deal effectively with the powers they have already got? Much work must be done by the DUP and Sinn Féin on other issues before justice can be devolved.

"Sinn Féin now needs to show goodwill instead of sabre-rattling if they are to convince the public that justice powers should be devolved.

"Sinn Féin and the DUP have shown a real lack of political maturity in recent times. The Alliance Party cannot compensate for the ill-feeling between the DUP and Sinn Féin. What is vital now is that all Executive parties demonstrate the will to make Stormont work. Sinn Féin must not be allowed to hold Northern Ireland to ransom with their threats to collapse the Assembly."

ENDS