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Some of us anticipated the inevitability of the decision
of the two main political parties to share power in a devolved
government. Much has been said on the subject. The strong
objections of many to sharing in government with Sinn Fein
- they need no listing - were subsumed in the very large percentage
of those who, though most unhappy with the agreements felt
impelled to accept the necessity of it. And the promise that
the DUP would ensure that it would defend the unionist cause
with utmost vigour and total commitment; that Sinn Fein would
be compelled to meet the demands on it and to keep the promises
it made especially on law and order, criminality and support
for the PSNI. We had to recognise the argument that the greater
evil would have been continuing direct rule and that a larger
participation by Southern politicians in our affairs. Government,
by our own elected politicians, that being the case, was the
much preferred option. We can not know what the future holds
for us, the one thing certain is uncertainty, but we can hope
and pray that what has been done will be to the benefit of
all our people whatever their creed, culture or race. The
many problems that face us will be on our agenda for consideration
and resolution. They will be tackled now by politicians who
are well acquainted with them and no longer by those from
"over there" who never understand our needs, so
often dissimilar to their own. The scene has in that sense
at least, changed to our advantage. The ministries, with their
concentrations on whatever affects us, are being shared out
on party selection, but unlike as with the Belfast Agreement
the ministers will not be free from executive participation
in their decision making. Consensus is the operative word
for this administration in nearly everything. While the form
of government will be, in its nature, unlike that elsewhere,
we can only hope that it will be markedly sensitive and successful
in its operations.
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