over 4 years déjà

NI 100: Unionist parties criticise centenary stone 'veto'

Stormont's unionist leaders have 5 ประโยชน์ของการเลือกเกมสล็อตออนไลน์ criticised a decision not to erect a stone marking NI's centenary at Parliament Buildings.

The DUP, Ulster Unionists and TUV made the request to the assembly commission, which includes MLAs from the five main parties, in January.

They accused Sinn Féin of a "shameful exercise" in vetoing the proposal.

Sinn Féin said it opposed the stone as it "reflects only one political perspective".

The assembly commission, which runs Stormont, said the parties had been "unable to reach the required consensus" on the suggestion.

But in a joint statement, Arlene Foster, Steve Aiken and Jim Allister said they believed the proposal was "non-controversial".

"We are dismayed by the refusal of the commission to permit this project, which would not have cost the public purse as our respective parties and MLAs were committed to funding it," they said.

"The refusal arises from the shameful exercise of a veto by Sinn Féin.

"Yet, this is the party that talks most about respect for all communities, but when a modest proposal was made on behalf of the wider unionist community it was callously vetoed."

'One tradition'

But a Sinn Féin spokesperson dismissed the criticism from unionist parties and said the stone had been "designed and commissioned by representatives of one tradition".

"It would have been more appropriate if the leaders of the unionist parties, who proposed this centenary stone, had first discussed this proposal with the other parties and the other people they share this building with," they added.

Centenary 'should be shared'

The SDLP and Alliance both confirmed they had supported the proposal.

"It is important that we find a way of reflecting the stark experiences of partition and the formation of Northern Ireland and its impact on people.

"In a spirit of generosity, we were therefore supportive of the proposal which would have come at no cost to taxpayers and clearly had a great deal of meaning for unionists," said an SDLP spokesperson.

"The SDLP believes that there should be a broader review of monuments within the Stormont Estate and Parliament Buildings to reflect the diversity of our society."