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Laura Hutton

Bertie Ahern says Arlene Foster is "crazy and dangerous" to question power sharing

The DUP has raised the prospect of renegotiation.

FORMER TAOISEACH BERTIE Ahern has described a suggestion by Northern Ireland’s First Minister Arlene Foster as “absolutely crazy and dangerous”.

Ahern was responding to suggestions from the DUP that the mandatory power-sharing arrangement in Northern Ireland may have to be reviewed.

An election in Northern Ireland is looking more and more likely after Sinn Féin’s Martin McGuinness stepped down as Deputy First Minister in protest at Foster’s handling of the ‘cash for ash’ scandal.

If Sinn Féin does not come back into the fold as coalition partner by next Monday then an election will be called.

It’s led to suggestions from the DUP’s Jeffrey Donaldson that the governmental arrangements forged under the Good Friday Agreement may have to be renegotiated.

Foster subsequently made similar comments and speaking today on RTÉ’s Sean O’Rourke programme, Ahern described this talk as “dangerous”.

“One of the things Arlene Foster was saying yesterday, which was absolutely crazy and dangerous,” Ahern said.

She was talking about how we need to move on in Northern Ireland from mandatory coalitions to coalitions formed out of an election. That would be read by the entire republican/nationalist family as going back to a unionist rule. She mightn’t have meant it, but she said it.

https://soundcloud.com/rte-radio-1/bertie-ahern-talk-of-electorally-formed-coalitions-in-ni-crazy-and-dangerous

Ahern, who was Taoiseach during the peace talks that led to the Good Friday Agreement, also spoke in glowing terms about McGuinness.

“Whatever about Martin McGuinness’ past, for over 20 years he has been a huge plus to the peace process,” Ahern said.

“As chief negotiator he’s a man of his words, I know that as I’ve dealt with him across the table for years.”

Ahern added that he felt it was “possible for the sides to pull this back” and avoid an election.

Read: How the Irish language drove a wedge between Northern Ireland’s Assembly >

Read: Mary Lou accuses Arlene Foster and DUP of ‘poking Sinn Féin in the eye’ >

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    Mute Eric
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    Oct 29th 2017, 4:12 PM

    No doubt started by one of the local scrotes.

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    Mute liam whelan
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    Oct 29th 2017, 5:13 PM

    @Eric: Really? Well then there’s no need for forensic fire iinvestigators any more is there? You must be a real asset to the DFB with you psychic powers of deduction!

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    Mute Eric
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    Oct 29th 2017, 8:00 PM

    @liam whelan: not much deduction required when you live nearby and you see the mobs of skangers starting fires and attacking fire engines.

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    Mute shaz
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    Oct 29th 2017, 4:24 PM

    I hope theres no homeless person(s) after taking shelter in the building. Also that all the emergency crews are safe.

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    Mute Les J Matt
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    Oct 29th 2017, 8:27 PM

    Hmmm.. a protected/listed building goes up in flames, suspiciously.
    Wouldn’t be a bit surprised if it “has to be knocked” and lo and behold shiny a new apartment block will miraculously take its place.

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    Mute Fiona Fitzgerald
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    Oct 29th 2017, 4:35 PM

    Feel sorry for anyone local with breathing difficulties.

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    Mute Danny foley
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    Oct 29th 2017, 4:05 PM

    I wonder?????????

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    Mute Declan Leonard
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    Oct 29th 2017, 6:03 PM

    Formerly the home of Jerry Beades concrete of the land league…..i wonder…..

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    Mute shits ville
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    Oct 29th 2017, 7:14 PM

    @TonyF: we don’t have listed buildings in Ireland – that’s a UK phenomenon

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    Mute shits ville
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    Oct 29th 2017, 7:20 PM

    @TonyF: Technically, there is no such thing as a listed building in Ireland.
    https://www.irishtimes.com/life-and-style/homes-and-property/restoring-your-period-home-all-you-need-to-know-1.2183789

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    Mute Paul Brierley
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    Oct 29th 2017, 7:24 PM

    Was Tommy “the torch” around?

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