Peace for all, not petty rows
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Tuesday December 15 2009
YESTERDAY at a North-South meeting in Limavady, in the presence of Brian Cowen and in front of the television cameras, Peter Robinson and Martin McGuinness quarrelled openly over an issue that could break the Northern Ireland Executive in which they serve as, respectively, First Minister and Deputy First Minister.
For months it has been well known that they have differences on the question. It is also well known that they are not personal friends.
They have travelled to London on separate aircraft and to Downing Street in separate limousines. They even made separate visits to Fermanagh to sympathise with flood victims.
But an open falling out, in yesterday's bizarre circumstances, creates a real crisis and endangers the survival of the Northern settlement which so many people of good will worked so hard and so long to achieve.
And to what purpose? The issue is the devolution from Westminster to Stormont powers over justice and policing. The change was agreed, wisely or otherwise, long ago. But Mr Robinson keeps delaying it because extreme unionists dislike it. Mr McGuinness for his part demands a decision by Christmas.
It would be deeply sad if the result of the impasse was the demise of a settlement painfully achieved but widely endorsed. Collapse would serve only those who want, at best, stagnation; at worst, violence.
To make the settlement real and workable, and for the sake of their own reputations, the Northern leaders must stop behaving childishly.
