Alliance "not in position to recommend deal" without details - Ford

10.25.31am GMT Mon 6th Nov 2006

Alliance Leader, David Ford

Alliance Party Leader David Ford has said his party requires full details of what was agreed at St Andrews before it can consider recommending the outcome to its supporters, and that it will require guarantees about the stability of the institutions and a genuine commitment to all aspects of the rule of law from all sides.

Speaking after a two-hour debate at Party Council in Antrim, David Ford stated: "The lack of detail as to precisely what was agreed at St Andrews means we were not in a position to recommend to our delegates that this deal will move us nearer stable and genuine power-sharing, nor to a commitment to all aspects of rule of law from everyone participating in

government. We are quite clear that these are our objectives, the lack of clarity rests within the document and with the parties who did the side deals.

"The feeling among delegates was that increased separation within the institutions will only lead to increased separation within society. We will pledge to act in the interests of securing power-sharing, not power-dividing - the challenge is for the sectarian parties to do

likewise.

"We have also been clear that there is more to 'commitment to all aspects of the rule of law from all sides' than Sinn Fein sitting on boards. We mean a genuine commitment to supporting and improving the police and the legal system as the only legitimate means of justice from all sides, including those Unionists who still find it acceptable to form united

political groupings with paramilitary representatives. We will pledge to act in the interests of securing a real commitment to the rule of law - the challenge is for the sectarian parties to do likewise.

"We are a devolutionist party, but it must be stable and genuine devolution. We will do everything we can to achieve that - the challenge is for the sectarian parties to do likewise. This is their final opportunity."

ENDS