OMAGH TO TOP MEETING
Omagh to top meeting
Exclusive
By Noel McAdam
THE historic first meeting of the new Assembly is to debate the political fall-out from the Omagh bombing outrage, it emerged today.
Three hours have been earmarked for the debate on Monday, when a sub-committee to deal with the decommissioning controversy may also be discussed.
But those issues will come after reports from First and deputy First Ministers David Trimble and Seamus Mallon on the future shape of government in the province have been tabled.
And the DUP is intending to highlight what they term deep differences between Mr Trimble and Mr Mallon over the formation of the shadow executive.
DUP leader, the Rev Ian Paisley said today: "We will be challenging the deep differences between the two first ministers over the issue of when and how a shadow executive is going to be formed.
"Mr Mallon made it clear to us in our bilateral meeting that he wants to see a shadow executive formed as soon as possible."
Meanwhile, there has been speculation that the Ulster Unionists may attempt to keep the shadow executive to seven or eight members, which would give the DUP and Sinn Fein one each.
But most other parties in the 108-member Assembly seem to favour the creation of a 10-seat executive, which would allow new departments to be formed and others - like the Department of Environment - to be split.
Sinn Fein President Gerry Adams has called for a Ministry for Children to be established to give priority to the "interests and rights" of children.
It was also reported today that the Assembly may only sit for one or two days next week, because it has what one source called "insufficient business".
Exclusive
By Noel McAdam
THE historic first meeting of the new Assembly is to debate the political fall-out from the Omagh bombing outrage, it emerged today.
Three hours have been earmarked for the debate on Monday, when a sub-committee to deal with the decommissioning controversy may also be discussed.
But those issues will come after reports from First and deputy First Ministers David Trimble and Seamus Mallon on the future shape of government in the province have been tabled.
And the DUP is intending to highlight what they term deep differences between Mr Trimble and Mr Mallon over the formation of the shadow executive.
DUP leader, the Rev Ian Paisley said today: "We will be challenging the deep differences between the two first ministers over the issue of when and how a shadow executive is going to be formed.
"Mr Mallon made it clear to us in our bilateral meeting that he wants to see a shadow executive formed as soon as possible."
Meanwhile, there has been speculation that the Ulster Unionists may attempt to keep the shadow executive to seven or eight members, which would give the DUP and Sinn Fein one each.
But most other parties in the 108-member Assembly seem to favour the creation of a 10-seat executive, which would allow new departments to be formed and others - like the Department of Environment - to be split.
Sinn Fein President Gerry Adams has called for a Ministry for Children to be established to give priority to the "interests and rights" of children.
It was also reported today that the Assembly may only sit for one or two days next week, because it has what one source called "insufficient business".
Further Information
Publisher: BELFAST TELEGRAPH
Ref: BT/0405
Published Date: 11-Sep-98
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