The Irish Times

The Irish Times reports today that the DUP and Sinn Fein are at logger heads over the devolution of Policing to the north. Still lets not panic, there is a general election looming, this is simply some positioning of the sectarian quarter. Yes indeed, both Sinn Fein and the DUP have to return to their sectarian ghettos to ensure that neither the Ulster Unionists nor the SDLP take any floating votes. Its all about a sectarian head count, even the great Stormont vision demands that each member of the Assembly signs in as either nationalist or unionist, great start to a new beginning. Any way not to worry after the general election Sinn Fein and the DUP will cosy up again and all will be well. The serious question remains as to whether Sinn Fein and the DUP can over see the devolution of policing and justice to the north. Many might think its impossible, yet in the aftermath of the British withdrawing from the Irish Republic it was Irish Republicans that had to establish a police force An Gardai Siochana that is today one of the most respected police services in the world. An Gardai Siochana has sent its men and women to far off places around the world in order to help less developed countries in the establishment and working of a modern police service. Personally I believe that Policing and Justice will be devolved to the north and I think that the DUP and Sinn Fein will deliver. Many of us remain concerned about continued terrorist activity on the ground and in particular such activity that leads back to those associated with the Provisional IRA (the murder of Paul Quinn in Monaghan a few months ago), however, it appears that Sinn Fein are being disciplined into democratic politics by the will of the people. Sinn Fein lost 18,000 votes in the 2009 European Elections in the north compared to 2004, and in the Republic Sinn Fein lost substantial support and their only MEP from the Republic, Mary Who. People are tiring of coat trailing by many associated with Sinn Fein and for this reason Sinn Fein have lost support. The DUP is now locked into battle with the UUP in what could be a defining moment for the UUP, the UUP have jumped into bed with the Tories in the hope of making gains in the north, still those gains will be minimal and the days of waving arms down the Garvaghy road in Portadown are well and truly gone. There is no real changes in the north politically, your either Orange or Green, with a little grey area for the Alliance in the middle, not a lot to choose from really. At least in the Republic civil war politics are in decline with real challenges emerging from Labour and Independents, the decline of the green party leaves a gap in the market for a new and more determined Eco-politic, thats a way off yet. The next general election in the Republic will see the Government parties removed and it will be many years before the Fianna Fail party recovers - if ever, and in that gap new eco-politic may emerge. Anyway, Yes, Sinn Fein and the DUP will deliver on policing, however we have to wait for the political love dance to end and that will be the day after the general election next year.