The genie is out of the bottle at Stormont.
Can it be put back in the bottle?
There is a truism in Northern Ireland – If one side thinks something is good for it then the other side thinks it is bad for it.
The withdrawal of control over security in the 70s was an effont to Unionism.
For Nationalism it was the beginning of the new Order. Ironically there is an impatience in Republicanism over any further delay in getting control over security matters.
It would be wrong to imply that the DUP is against the devolution of Policing and Justice.
What is noticeable however is the arbitrariness with which Peter Robinson speaks of his responsibility for getting the financial package right.
He deploys the First Person “I” in his narrative on the shaping of the deal.
This is not lost on Martin Mc Guinness who views himself as a co-equal.
One Dup insider has spoken of his colleagues’ ” irritation” at Mr Mc Guinness’s raising the level of expectation before each meeting with Gordon Brown.
Sources close to the Deputy First Minister argue he was ‘bounced’ on a number of occasions in recent weeks.
Mr Mc Guinness accused Peter Robinson of wanting “to dump the Good Friday Agreement and the St. Andrew’s Agreement’ out the window.
This is said to relate to an alleged failure by Mr Robinson to alert his deputy First Minister of the substance of a key- note speech he was giving.
Martin Mc Guinnes further alleged ‘collusion’ against him arising from a Downing Street meeting.
He claims Dup officials have ceased to engage with his team in the past week on the devolution of policing and justice.
Peter Robinson contends the financial deal is well off completion.
Into this melting pot he has tossed ‘confidence’ ‘consultation’ and obviously more process.
The First Minister in response to the Mid Ulster MP’s remarks states he is not getting sucked into any exchange but adds ” I am not going to be pushed or bullied by anyone.”
US economics advisor Declan Kelly is flying into this mess and it is reported US Secretary
Hilary Clinton will drop by in the next fortnight.
Do you think the genie will be back in the bottle in two weeks time ?
