Paisley and Adams in talks - But what now?

I am really pleased that Northern Ireland is now heading towards a devolved government. It would seem that the people of NI have managed to drive both Paisley and Adams together with overwhelming demands for a government which will now sit and govern for the first time since 1982.

The public have made it clear that they are willing to support a power-sharing government, and are displaying and inspiring sense of unity across the whole of Ireland. Comments are filling up news websites, making it very clear that Northern Ireland is looking forward with anticipation to the future.

But what will it bring? There are fears that Paisley and Adams are 'not up to the job', also there are fears that economic instability could occur if the British government withdraw economic assistance too quickly. Tony Blair has also faced criticism today, with some believing his reasons for intervention are questionable. However, I'm sure that the people of Northern would agree, that now is the time to give peace a chance, otherwise we will never know what could have been.

Some thought this day would never come, I think it is truly the dawning of a new era for Northern Ireland and its people.

(Watch breaking news of the deal: Follow link)

Division continues in NI - Political parties continue to dance around power-sharing deal.

I've been checking up on the current political scene in Northern Ireland recently, and have to admit that I am un-surprised that two days away from the deadline for devolution, a stumbling block has been hit. (See RTE' bulletin)

I did envisage such an occurence, however I'm not sure how significant it is at this stage. On the one hand, the DUP could be bidding their time to achieve an upper-hand on Gordon Brown's economic package, on another, perhaps they may be beginning to decide that they are now unwilling to enter into power-sharing with Sinn Fein after all.

If the latter has occurred I think that it is time that the DUP consider their actions carefully; especially if they do want out of the deal. I also cannot really see a time extension this time, there have already been so many failed attempts at forming a devolved government in Northern Ireland. But what if the DUP are serious? If they are, I think that they will need to make their choice before March 26th.

However, what is most important in my opinion, is that the people of Northern Ireland, who have voted over-overwhelmingly for a devolved government this month, know where they stand by Monday, its the very least that they deserve in my view.

Everything to play for: NI politics hangs in the balance

I believe that today marks the beginning of a positive and progressive political change in Northern Ireland.

Today the people of Northern Ireland have achieved a great deal, they have sent an overwhelmingly clear message to the DUP and Sinn Fein: They want a devolved government to rule Northern Ireland.

However, the future of Northern Irish politics now hangs in the balance between bitter rivals Gerry Adams of Sinn Fein, and Ian Paisley of the DUP.

Both the DUP and Sinn Fein were the top two party's in the assembly elections, and must now agree to running a devolved government side-by side by March the 25th, (A day before the March 26th deadline) for the deal to hold together. If they don't, Northern Ireland will be ruled from Westminster, with assistance from Dublin.

I am sincerely keeping my fingers crossed.

Northern Ireland polls

Where to begin? Well in two days time Northern Ireland will be going to the polls to elect representatives for the NI assembly. ( RTE' reports) This could mean that today's generation could see a power-sharing government with Sinn Fein and the DUP working together. Something which I can scarcely believe I am writing about. But what are the implications of such a deal? Well, I believe that if all sides can agree to power-sharing we could see a beginning of a new chapter in Northern Ireland politics and society. However I don't think for one moment that it could happen over-night. Stormont has sat virtually empty for too long to make an easy re-convening possible.

Another possibility is that the deal might yet fall through, taking with it all progress made thus far, and making future possibilities of a deal very difficult. The most important thing that must not be allowed to happen is an escalation of tensions caused by the polls, the consequences of such could be horrific. (Having first-hand experience of political unrest in NI, I know how easily this could occur.)

However I do believe that now is the time for new paths to be forged in the coming days for the future of Northern Ireland. We shall see. One thing I do believe is certain, is that if the deal falls through, it will make for a very disappointing end to Tony Blair's part in the negotiations, as he is due to leave number 10 later this year.