DUP MP Jeffrey Donaldson has responded to the comments of Alliance MLA Anna Lo. Jeffrey Donaldson said:
"Anna Lo's comments are reflective of the fact that there are a whole range of issues of concern to people right throughout our community. These issues need to be addressed in the context of devolving policing and justice powers: it is foolish to pretend otherwise. The DUP is committed to working with all parties in the Assembly to resolve outstanding issues and to create the necessary community confidence to allow devolution of these sensitive powers to take place. Only when community confidence has been created can we proceed further.
The DUP sat down in good faith for a substantial period of time to develop the CSI strategy. Discussions around this issue were ended, not by the DUP, but by Sinn Fein. Instead of finalising the details of this work in October 2008 Sinn Fein decided to take 8 months out and produce their own document.
Sinn Fein needs to step up to the mark in playing their part in building a shared future in Northern Ireland. If we are to tackle issues like racism and sectarianism and work to remove the divisions in our society, we need a shared strategy to achieve this. The peace walls will not come down whilst Sinn Fein persist with a mistaken belief that a shared future is created by imposing their template rather than a template based on a broad consensus.
That is not a basis for building the trust or confidence necessary to end the divisions that scar the landscape in interface areas. As is the case at all levels of government, the days of Sinn Fein getting their way by stamping their feet and crying in the media are over. It’s time to build a shared future in Northern Ireland. Is Sinn Fein up for that?”
