Alliance Party Council meets to discuss St. Andrews Agreement

3.26.24pm GMT Fri 3rd Nov 2006

Alliance Party Leader, David Ford

A Special Meeting of the Alliance Party Council, the governing body of the Alliance Party, is being held tomorrow to discuss the party's response to the St. Andrews Agreement.

Speaking ahead of tomorrow's meeting, Alliance Party Leader, David Ford stated: "Alliance does recognise that the St. Andrews Agreement has the potential to deliver two main achievements: binding the DUP into a commitment to assume power alongside Sinn Fein; and the commitment of Sinn Fein and all other parties to policing and the rule of law.

"It remains to be seen whether all parties, in particular the DUP and Sinn Fein will meet the challenge.

"Alliance is obviously committed to doing everything within its power to see power-sharing devolution placed on a stable and sustainable basis.

"However, we have a number of concerns relating to the content and feasibility of the implementation of this Agreement.

"Alliance believes that this Agreement only addresses the issues and priorities placed on the table by the DUP and Sinn Fein. The wider range of changes to the institutions, public policy priorities, and measures required to build a shared future have not been addressed.

"Alliance is particularly concerned that government may only be sustainable on the basis of increased separation within the institutions, with some ministers not even communicating with others.

"Alliance will be meeting with the Secretary of State early next week to discuss these matters, before we render our final judgement."

ENDS