Newry Armagh Sinn Féin Sinn Féin -- Building an Ireland of Equals

SDLP/Unionist Pact overturns previously agreed power sharing arrangements

Published: 3 November, 2009

Newry and Mourne Sinn Féin councillor, Terry Hearty, has said that a pact between Unionism and the SDLP has overturned a previously agreed power sharing arrangement and denied a Sinn Féin representative the positions of chair and vice chair of SOAR.

SOAR is the Joint Committee and Local Action Group for the Craigavon, Armagh and Newry & Mourne Council areas.

It is responsible for the administration of the Rural Development Programme 2007-2013 (NIRDP) within the rural areas of Craigavon, Armagh and Newry & Mourne.

Cllr Hearty said that although it had been agreed that the positions of chair and vice-chair would be rotated among the parties and the three council areas, the SDLP and Unionists had disregarded this and ensured a second unionist vice-chair.

Cllr Hearty said:

"It had been previously agreed by all parties that the positions of chair and vice-chair would be rotated among the three council areas and all parties represented on the joint committee.

"Last year both the chair and vice-chair of the committee had been unionists.

"During this year's AGM, SDLP Councillor Josephine O'Hare, was nominated by two unionists to the position of chair - this was also supported by Sinn Féin.

"Unfortunately, when I nominated Councillor Darren McNally, to the position of vice-chair - a position which Sinn Féin is entitled to - Cllr O'Hare voted to reinstate the same unionist vice-chair from last year.

"I believe that it may be legally wrong for these parties to renege on a cross-party agreement, and by so doing, to keep Sinn Féin from holding either of these positions.

"At last night's Council meeting I requested the Council's clerk to investigate the legality of this U-turn at the AGM.

"I am concerned that their actions - illegal, immoral or otherwise - may effect the distribution of the rural development monies to those who need it most."

"Last year's unionist chair refused to be photographed with Sinn Féin members at the launch of this funding initiative. It is worrying that the SDLP are quite happy to cosy up with the same people responsible for this petty sectarianism in order to score a political point against Sinn Féin."

Cllr Hearty's party colleague Cllr Mickey Ruane also requested that a letter be sent to Craigavon Council by NMDC highlighting their concerns on the running of the Local Action Committee by Craigavon officials.

Cllr Ruane said:

"At a previous meeting of the Local Action Committee the minutes provided had failed to deal with so many concerns that none of the members present were willing to accept them."