Oral question asked in the House of Commons, by Eddie McGrady (Social Democratic & Labour Party). It was answered on Wednesday, 15 March 2006 on behalf of the Northern Ireland Office.

Northern Ireland Assembly

Question: After an ill-advised deadline of 8 March has come and gone, will the Secretary of State now address the proposals of the Social Democratic and Labour party, which called for the re-establishment of a fully devolved Administration—if necessary, with a temporary Executive appointed from non-elected members or, indeed, consisting of the Northern Ireland Office Ministers themselves—until such time as an agreed Executive can be formed? Does he not agree that that would encourage the parties to participate and that their failure to do so would be a rejection of their mandate and, in a sense, an illustration of the fact that they are putting party before people?

Answer: I understand the point that hon. Gentleman makes, but he has not persuaded, nor has his party, any other party to support that proposition. That is his problem, and there is no point in inviting me, as Secretary of State, to back that policy, when no party, apart from the SDLP, will subscribe to it.

Secondary information

Type: Oral question
Reference: 443 c1438
Session: 2005-06
Oral question type: Supplementary
Chamber / Committee: House of Commons chamber
Subjects: Northern Ireland government Devolution Elections Northern Ireland Northern Ireland Assembly
Link: View this Oral question on www.publications.parliament.uk