NI Conservatives’ chairman, Irwin Armstrong, has welcomed the NIO’s consultation on the Northern Ireland Assembly, which the Secretary of State published this morning.
“This paper will initiate a debate which is absolutely necessary, and Owen Paterson should be congratulated for starting it”, Irwin commented. “We’ve been arguing for many of the changes which are suggested: a reduction in the number of seats at the Stormont Assembly, an end to double jobbing and an accountable system, with a government and an opposition in Northern Ireland.”
“These measures are absolutely in line with Conservative manifesto commitments to Northern Ireland, on which we stood at the general election. It should also be noted that this is a consultation document, designed to create discussion around some very important issues and improve devolved government for the people of Northern Ireland. There is no question of anything being imposed and the current executive parties should not run away from a debate on that basis.”
“This document is an excellent starting place to move on from the peace process after 15 years and start delivering. Let’s hope that stakeholders from across the political spectrum approach it with an open mind and we can get on with building a system of government which can take Northern Ireland into the future.”
Please see the NIO’s website at www.nio.gov.uk for more information.