Stormont – the task of reform is urgent

Sir, – There is great excitement here at the prospect of a springtime Assembly, along with the crocuses, returning to the Stormont Estate.

In the political parties, as well as in the population, there is anticipation that we can begin to deal with the problems that the lack of dull, everyday politics has been creating for us.

However, there is a nagging worry that the DUP or Sinn Féin could collapse our government once more if it suited their party interests. It is to address this, that we in Northern Ireland need help from the Irish and UK governments. They were the signatories of the Belfast Agreement, a huge step forward with lots of checks and balances necessarily built in. However, as we have moved on, the checks rather than the balances have loomed large. Surely it is time to begin the process of reform of our rules for government.

Micheál Martin led a team to Belfast to meet the parties here earlier this week. I’m sure he came with a holding brief, in light of the upcoming election. Alas, an election is also coming over the horizon in the UK, so I guess “Yes, yes but not now” is the message to NI parties from both directions. If the Assembly is collapsed again it is unlikely to be resuscitated, politicians speaking privately have said. I urge, inconvenient though it is, both governments to begin the task of reform now. Resuming and continuing the transformation of society in Northern Ireland is in the interests of everyone on these islands. – Yours,etc,