Flanagan “regrets” circumstances of McGuinness resignation
Posted By: January 09, 2017
RTE. Dublin. Monday, January 9, 2017
Charlie Flanagan said, “the Government is very mindful of the need to protect the integrity of the principles and institutions of the Good Friday Agreement.”
Minister for Foreign Affairs Charlie Flanagan has said he regrets “the circumstances” that led to the decision of Martin McGuinness to resign as Northern Ireland Deputy First Minister.
In a statement, he said the Renewable Heat Incentive controversy “is very much a matter for the devolved Executive and Assembly.”
However, he said that “the Government is very mindful of the need to protect the integrity of the principles and institutions of the Good Friday Agreement.
“In this regard, both the effective functioning of those institutions and respecting the principles of partnership and equality are of critical importance.
“If, as appears likely, new elections to the Assembly will now be required, it behooves all parties to act responsibly in word and deed so that the political institutions of the Agreement will not be damaged in the longer term.”
Mr. Flanagan went on to say that the Irish Government will “continue to work with the British Government and the political parties to advance political stability, reconciliation and economic prosperity in Northern Ireland.”
Outgoing Stormont First Minister Arlene Foster branded Mr. McGuinness’s decision to resign and pull down the power-sharing administration as “not principled” and “purely political.”
Ms. Foster added: “Let me make it clear the DUP will always defend unionism and stand up for what is best for Northern Ireland, and it appears from the Deputy First Minister’s resignation letter that is what annoys Sinn Fein the most.”
An official spokeswoman for British Prime Minister Theresa May said: “The Prime Minister has been kept updated on the resignation of Martin McGuinness.
“The Northern Ireland Secretary James Brokenshire is in contact with people there, encouraging all parties to continue the dialogue.”
Mr. Brokenshire acknowledged the likelihood of Assembly elections, saying in a statement: “There is a clear process set out regarding what happens next.
“Unless Sinn Féin nominates a replacement to the position of deputy First Minister within the next seven days, it is incumbent upon me to call an Assembly election within a reasonable period.”
Fianna Fáil Leader Micheál Martin said in a statement: “The stage is now being set for a bitter election campaign that will not address any of the issues that led us to this point, and the future of the institutions is thrown into serious doubt.
“Our fear is that party political interests have now overtaken the public interest.”
He continued: “At a time when people in the North need their representatives to step up to the plate, put differences aside and fight together in the common interest to meet a once in a generation threat, they have been very badly let down by the ruling parties of DUP and Sinn Féin.
SDLP Leader Colum Eastwood said: “The public understand that there is one reason for this potential election – Arlene Foster’s arrogance.”
He added: “For years Sinn Féin have been addicted to appeasement and are only now waking up to the reality that the DUP have been running rings around them in government.”
Ulster Unionist chief Mike Nesbitt said a public inquiry should be held into the failed RHI scheme, so all the facts are exposed, and cost controls are put in place.
He accused Sinn Fein of prioritizing self-interest. “This is Sinn Fein letting the DUP off the hook,” he said. “The public mood clearly indicates they want the facts of the RHI debacle exposed.
“To move straight to an election without this taking place is farcical.
“They had a choice between the integrity of the institutions and electoral advantage, and they appear to have chosen the latter.”
Meanwhile, on Twitter Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams paid tribute to Mr. McGuinness’s “valiant service” as deputy first minister and thanked him for all his work.
