SINN FÉIN wants to work with the DUP but will resist "belligerent" posturing from "rejectionist" elements of the party, Sinn Féin MP and Assembly member Conor Murphy said when he addressed the Easter commemoration ceremony at the republican plot in Milltown Cemetery in west Belfast yesterday.
The Newry and Armagh MP said that the best way to make powersharing work at Stormont was through "mature and sensible negotiation" but that equally Sinn Féin would oppose any DUP attempts to thwart political business being done.
Mr Murphy said Sinn Féin had defied the odds to strike a deal with the DUP and the Rev Ian Paisley and had also ensured that the powersharing institutions were fully functioning.
"Nonetheless, the sight of Ian Paisley working so readily with Martin McGuinness has excited the rejectionist elements within the DUP. Ian Paisley's departure from leadership is a timely reminder to us of the depth of the anti-powersharing, anti-equality sentiment within unionism," he said.
Mr Murphy said that senior DUP figures had become increasingly "hostile and offensive" over issues such as the transfer of powers on policing and justice; creating a stadium at the Maze, which would also include a conflict transformation centre that would refer to the history of the prison; and the Irish Language Act.
These issues could be resolved through negotiation and an acceptance that "change is happening", he said. "That type of approach will benefit us all and give confidence to those who want powersharing to work."
"But let me make it clear to the DUP. If you think by being belligerent and abusive, republicans will simply shrug our shoulders and give up on things which are important to this community, then you had better think again," said Mr Murphy. "If you want to do battle on these issues then so be it, we are well used to lengthy struggle. We will not allow the agenda of change to be halted," he added.
Mr Murphy also implicitly referred to the DUP losing the Dromore council byelection and the subsequent hardening of attitudes by some DUP politicians. "Knee-jerk reactions to perceived electoral setbacks may placate the bigots in the short term but do little to give positive leadership to unionism in the longer term. We have been down enough cul-de-sacs in the past, now is the time for leadership," he said.
"Sinn Féin will not allow ourselves to be distracted by the posturing of unionists in the time ahead. We have too much of our own work to do," he said.
