Paisley signals readiness to enter power with Sinn Féin

[TheBear]

From The Irish Times:

• Democratic Unionist Party leader Ian Paisley has given his most positive signal yet that he is prepared to enter power with Sinn Féin following an election in the North next March.
  
  In the face of acknowledged dissent within his party over the St Andrews Agreement, Dr Paisley said a powersharing deal was possible within the timeframe set out by the British and Irish governments.
  
  Taoiseach Bertie Ahern and Northern Secretary Peter Hain warned yesterday there would no point in holding the March 7th election without earlier agreement that Sinn Féin and the DUP would form a powersharing government.
  
  Mr Hain said an election would be pointless if Sinn Féin had not called an ardfheis on policing before the end of January.
  
  Mr Ahern, speaking in London where he addressed a conference of business leaders last night, expressed confidence that Sinn Féin would sign up to policing. He said it would be possible then to achieve subsequent agreement on a timetable for the devolution of policing and justice powers, as prescribed by both governments, by summer 2008.
  
  Asked if there was no Sinn Féin ardfheis by the end of January and, therefore, no agreement by the DUP to form a government by March 26th, what would be the point of the Assembly elections, he replied: "There would be none."
  
  Dr Paisley made clear yesterday that he was willing to see a powersharing government with Sinn Féin subject, chiefly, to that party signing up to policing and the rule of law. This was the case notwithstanding that some senior DUP members such as North Belfast MP Nigel Dodds and MEP Jim Allister had concerns about St Andrews.
  
  In broadcast interviews with RTÉ, UTV, BBC and Downtown Radio after yesterday's reconvened meeting of the Northern Assembly, he said there was no challenge to his leadership, although there was the "odd squabble" in the party over St Andrews. "There are two or three people who had second thoughts about the way we are going. I think that is cleared up now. I think that we are all singing from the same hymn sheets at the moment, and we will," he said.

I have to admit, I'm not sure whether to be more sceptical about this story or this one? Just another round in our island's merry dance?

[st333ve]

I think its genuine, Sinn Fein will endorce policing if it means that in 2008 the police service will also be answerable to republicans in stormont.
Ian Paisley will enter a power sharing agreement and he will talk to Sinn Fein.
I know this sounds quite unbelievable considering northern irelands past, but everyone knows that playing the blame game has been sending us around a never ending roundabout, even paisley said himself, he will do it even if he is reluctant as its obviously the best thing for the people of northern ireland.
I think the day Gerry Adams and Ian Paisley speak or maybe even shake hands will be a very historic and great day in irish politics, Something so simple would do great things for the healing of northern ireland, they know this has to be done,because we want it to be done.
The troubles are over theyre in the past, its time to get democratic time to be civil and time to think about what is best for the future and the people living in northern ireland.

[Jonjo]

Just remember people, the parties are still british controlled and all this sideshow stuff is just a smokescreen to give legimacy to the petty NI parties.

[hiker]

Just remember people, the parties are still british controlled and all this sideshow stuff is just a smokescreen to give legimacy to the petty NI parties.

It may seem petty from this side of the border but its big news up north. You'd have to be unionist to understand the significance of Paisleys statement and givin that about 800,000 people on the island are, then this is massive news indeed.

[Westie24]

Paisley knows that if he rejects the call now to go into government, if Sinn Fein endorse the PSNI, that the whole world will see that he was always just a sectarian bigot who wouldn't share power with Catholics.

Maybe he is, maybe he isn't, but nobody wants to be known as the guy who rejected peace when everyone with a brain and a shred of decency urged him to take it. It's amazing there are still people in the DUP who are so blinded by their hatred they will even turn on the Big Doc and call him, of all people, a traitor to Unionism because he will say yes for once in his life to political progression.

[Gary]

I think the day Gerry Adams and Ian Paisley speak or maybe even shake hands

not a chance.

[st333ve]

As i said before , i know it sounds unbelieveable but i think that the last few months shouldnt be underestimated.
There is a chance of this happening but i remain sceptical myself we'll see how it goes, It's Ian Paisleys last chance to get away from his old biggoted ways, he risks only being remembered for these.
If people dont start to engage with eachother it leaves the risk of returning to this.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cw-_MItQ ... ed&search=

[popper]

Those who are expressing optimism over the future ought to bear in mind that yesterday once Paisley did his part that the pressure was shifted back onto SF to hold an Ard Fheis on policing before March, in January in fact according to some sources. If they do not (and persumably it would approve whatever needs to be done) then that will allow Paisley an out.

[padraig]

Those who are expressing optimism over the future ought to bear in mind that yesterday once Paisley did his part that the pressure was shifted back onto SF to hold an Ard Fheis on policing before March, in January in fact according to some sources. If they do not (and persumably it would approve whatever needs to be done) then that will allow Paisley an out.

Onless Sinn Fein is giving a firm commitment from the two governments for the devolution of Justice and Policing powers to the Assembly, along with the outstanding implementing of the promised reforms to the PSNI, and a time-frame in which these will by carried out, then the chances of the party calling an Ard Fheis would be slim.

[popper]

Those who are expressing optimism over the future ought to bear in mind that yesterday once Paisley did his part that the pressure was shifted back onto SF to hold an Ard Fheis on policing before March, in January in fact according to some sources. If they do not (and persumably it would approve whatever needs to be done) then that will allow Paisley an out.

Onless Sinn Fein is giving a firm commitment from the two governments for the devolution of Justice and Policing powers to the Assembly, along with the outstanding implementing of the promised reforms to the PSNI, and a time-frame in which these will by carried out, then the chances of the party calling an Ard Fheis would be slim.

I'm not being smart Padraig but I wouldn't put too much money on that if I was you.