The US-based Select Committee to Save the Good Friday Agreement is calling on politicians to end the standoff in Northern Ireland and get Stormont back to work.
The Committee issued a statement today, January 16, the day before the scheduled full session of the Northern Ireland Parliament.
The statement also comes two days before an estimated 170,000 workers in Northern Ireland are scheduled to go on strike over pay issues, and it also comes two days before an estimated 170,000 workers in Northern Ireland are scheduled to go on strike over pay issues, and it also comes as Northern Ireland’s Secretary of State calls for a new parliament if Stormont is still not functioning. The announcement was made two days before the deadline to call an election.
Northern Ireland has been without a functioning government for nearly two years as the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) continues to refuse to return to power-sharing.
On Tuesday, former Congressman Jim Walsh of New York, speaking on behalf of the Select Committee to Save the Good Friday Agreement, said: “Over the past five years, the task force has met with all political parties and countless officials have always been willing to listen and provide us with advice in any way they can.
“However, Northern Ireland has an opportunity to turn the page by restoring Stormont and we encourage our political leaders to do so this week.
“The time has come to continue to care for the people of Northern Ireland, from cancer patients to school children.
“The backlog is huge and the next Minister needs to roll up his sleeves and take the time to find compromises to pass legislation that will move Northern Ireland forward again.
“Political stability will pave the way for new U.S. economic investment and new jobs, and give young people hope that there is a future in Northern Ireland. Congress and Irish Americans stand ready to help.” President Biden has reiterated his continued policy commitment to peace and economic prosperity in Northern Ireland. ”
Congressman Bruce Morrison (Connecticut), co-chair of the select committee, also expressed concerns: “The basis of the Good Friday Agreement is a democratically elected devolved parliament to govern the internal affairs of Northern Ireland. But Stormont is more of a failure than a success. It is more suspended than it is sitting. A government that does not always govern is not a government.
“The Good Friday Agreement would not have been agreed if the plan had been to default to Westminster when there was a difference of opinion. But if it had been our position in the face of a DUP boycott, the Good Friday Agreement would not have been agreed. This is the situation we are in after the withdrawal of Sinn Féin five years ago. We cannot continue.
“In the meantime, the DUP must either return to Stormont or resign their seats and make another party their second party. But an immediate end to the boycott is only the first step.
“The rules of Stormont need to be changed so that a small number of MLAs cannot prevent Stormont from functioning. And if there is no majority, a new election must be held.
“Otherwise, Stormont is a government in words but not in deeds.”
The Select Committee to Safeguard the Good Friday Agreement was established in response to the Brexit referendum and concerns that a hard border could be imposed across the island. It has doubled in size from an initial group of 40 prominent Americans with a long history of involvement in the peace process. The group says it is working in a bipartisan manner with colleagues in the U.S. Congress to remain vigilant. He also said he supports all political parties in Northern Ireland who oppose the Legacy Bill passed at Westminster.