Government partners in Northern Ireland were tonight at loggerheads over responsibility for official hold ups in business.
The Democratic Unionist Party accused Sinn Féin of frustrating the work of the ministerial Executive after disagreements over issues like abolishing selection for post-primary education and devolving policing and justice powers to the Assembly.
However, Sinn Féin said it was prepared to meet unionists at any time to resolve outstanding matters.
DUP Assembly member Peter Weir claimed “narrow party-political reasons” were to blame for delays in holding Executive meetings.
“It is my understanding that the First Minister has cleared over 30 papers, sufficient to fill two or three Executive agendas and he has sought to have the Executive meet on a number of occasions,” he said.
“Concerning recent issues that have received press attention, the DUP has said that we are willing to talk to other parties concerning other issues.
“Nevertheless, all parties should be in no doubt that attempting to frustrate the working of the Northern Ireland Executive in a vain attempt to get their own way will achieve nothing.”
Sinn Féin Education minister Caitriona Ruane has promised to end pupil testing after this year in a move opposed by unionists.
Her party has also been campaigning for greater recognition of the Irish language and progress on a planned multi-sports Maze stadium in Co Antrim, issues which have raised DUP concerns.
A DUP source confirmed: “Our message is aimed at Sinn Féin.”
Mr Weir added: “Members of the Executive from other parties have already publicly acknowledged where the blame for some of the recent hold-ups lies and it isn’t with the DUP.
“People want to see devolution working to achieve the maximum benefits for our community — they will I believe, take a very dim view of those who for their own narrow party-political reasons behave in a way that contravenes that public desire to see Stormont continuing to deliver.”
Ms Ruane has written to all ministers requesting a special Executive meeting to discuss her post-selection proposals.
A Sinn Féin spokesman said: “The DUP committed themselves to entering a process in June to resolve outstanding issues. That has not materialised yet.
“Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness will be available all summer to meet with Peter Robinson.”
SDLP leader Mark Durkan said the political stand-off was creating a crisis at the heart of government and said the Assembly may need to be recalled from its summer recess.
Mr Durkan, chairman of the Assembly’s enterprise, trade and investment committee, said politicians had to show leadership at a time when economic hardships were hitting ordinary people.
“Over the past few months we have seen remarkably few Executive meetings,” he said.
“This has meant important matters such as PPS14 (rural planning laws), education reform and resolving the issue of water charges have all been held up.
“Furthermore, I know the (SDLP) Social Development Minister Margaret Ritchie has expressed her frustration at being unable to table three bills during this unacceptable delay.”
The DUP and Sinn Féin are locked in talks over intractable issues.
They have pledged to intensify talks on the transfer of policing powers, but the other issues separating them are proving just as divisive.
As they fail to agree deals on the outstanding matters, the result has been a slow-down of the work of the Executive which is dominated by the two biggest parties.
Mr Durkan today said: “In the meantime, people in Northern Ireland are feeling the effects of an economic crunch which is now a consumer and income crunch.
“Companies and small businesses are under pressure in all our constituencies.
“Rising energy costs are driving increasing costs of living. We are now reaching new levels of difficulties, where householders are struggling to heat their homes, run their cars and pay for food.
“Fuel poverty is widening and deepening.
“There are also budget implications for departments and services arising directly and indirectly from these cost increases.
“Is the Executive’s best way of meeting this crisis not to meet?”
PA