Gerry Adams, the former president of Sinn Féin, has called on the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) to be given a “wee bit of space” as they make moves towards re-entering power-sharing in Northern Ireland. In an article for BreakingNews.ie, Adams acknowledges the challenges of the DUP’s recent history, but stresses the importance of working together for the good of the people of Northern Ireland. With power-sharing at a standstill since 2017, Adams’ words could hold significant weight in the ongoing political discussions.
Former Sinn Féin president, Gerry Adams, has said that the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) requires breathing space to decide if it will return to power-sharing institutions at Stormont. Adams added that should the DUP choose not to reform the executive, then Dublin needs to have ‘full involvement’ in affairs in Northern Ireland. Speaking with the PA news agency in the run-up to the 25th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement, Adams said that the damage done to the institutions could be repaired, were they up and running as they should be. There are still concerns about the Windsor Framework agreement between London and Brussels to ease many of the trading frictions caused by the Northern Ireland Protocol, leading to uncertainty over the future of power-sharing in Northern Ireland.
The DUP halted the power-sharing executive at Stormont last year, in protest at post-Brexit arrangements between Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK. The party has raised concerns about the trading frictions within Northern Ireland caused by the Northern Ireland Protocol as well, which has led to doubts about the future of managements within this region. A panel that was commissioned by leader Jeffrey Donaldson to assess the framework has recently completed its work.
When asked about the DUP position, Mr Adams said: “Well, I think the unionists have to make up their minds. I think we need to give them a wee bit of space to do that.” He added that “The damage that has been done in relation to the institutions can be repaired if the institutions were up and running as they should be.” Adams said it would be a “different matter” if the DUP refused to return, in which case the Irish and British governments must act to prevent a return to English rule. “We have to have a full involvement by the Irish government along with the British government, unfortunately, with them seeking to fill the gap, which plainly would be the responsibility of unionists’ failure to grasp the new dispensation,” he said.
Adams did not believe though that the reason the unionist party was refusing to return to Stormont was down to Sinn Féin vice president Michelle O’Neill being first minister. He said: “I think Jeffrey has spoken the truth when he says that it’s not an issue for him.”
The progress of the power-sharing institutions has been “stop-start” since they were formed, Adams noted. He added: “Senator (George) Mitchell famously when the agreement was made said – that is the easy bit done… The hard bit is implementing it. Never was anything so true.” While progress remains uncertain in Northern Ireland, Adams did highlight that the inclusivity of Sinn Féin had enabled the party to become one of the biggest players in Northern Irish politics.
