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Tue 24th November
Speaking after backing a motion in the Assembly to end the practice by 2011 which was ultimately defeated by the DUP, Mr Durkan said:
“The DUP want to kick the issue of dual mandates into touch by saying that 2015 could be the end date.
“If it is proper to end them in 2015, it is even more proper to end them now, and, for that reason, the SDLP supported an Ulster Unionist Party motion seeking them to cease by 2011.
“In the past, dual mandates could be partly excused and explained by the unsteady history of the devolved institutions. Over the years, we have been up and down like bungee jumpers, with one suspension after the other.
“However, as a settled process now exists, it is only right we seek to set the definitive deadline of 2011 as the end-date for this practice – as it is not a tin that we can keep kicking in front of us.
“This is a matter of legitimate concern to the public. It would have been much better for the credibility of our devolved political process for all parties to have agreed 2011 as a clear point in the electoral cycle after which MLAs would not hold dual mandates.
"The SDLP has proposed in the past this could be facilitated by an all-party agreement on a definitive timetable for ending dual mandates.
"Unfortunately SDLP proposals to achieve this in the Assembly were voted down by Sinn Féin and the DUP who favoured a ‘flexible approach.’
“We would prefer the situation to be resolved by 2011, but note that along with a number of issues Kelly has allowed for a run over until 2015.
“At the time I expressed my concern that too long a timetable had been set.
“This could have been dealt with more urgency and there is now a responsibility on all parties to address this issue and move it forward.”
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