The Church and Government Committee of the Presbyterian Church has called on Sinn Fein and the IRA to 'commit fully to democracy' saying that this would greatly strengthen the case for fresh elections.
In a report presented to the Presbyterian General Board at its meeting today, Thursday 16 October, in Belfast, the report continued that prolonged political stalemate has led to widespread apathy and a worrying disengagement from political life, noting that such elections would provide a fresh mandate for elected representatives and inject new life into the political process.
But presenting the report, Committee convener Dr Alastair Dunlop posed the question 'What is it that representatives would be elected to do in the Assembly, given that the British and Irish Governments are unlikely to agree to a re-negotiation of the Belfast Agreement?'
'The main obstacle in the way of full implementation of the Agreement is the continued existence of a private army. It cannot be stated often enough or strongly enough that private armies have no place in a democracy. The case for November or December Assembly elections would be greatly strengthened if Sinn Fein and the IRA could bring themselves to commit fully to democracy.'
Believing that 'elections provide the opportunity to express an opinion' the General Board resolved that 'all voters are urged to exercise their right to vote.'
Issued by Stephen Lynas, Presbyterian Information Services. Info@PresbyterianIreland.org
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