Robinson condemns end of power-sharing

BELFAST, Northern Ireland, May 31 (UPI) -- The proposed dissolution of a power-sharing government in Northern Ireland is "ludicrous," Democratic Unionist Party head Peter Robinson said Saturday.

Robinson said the proposal from the Sinn Fein political party due to differences between unionist and nationalist supporters would only hinder political progress in the country, The Irish Times reported.

"I think the idea that people are going to bring the house down around themselves is so ludicrous, particularly when we have a leadership that wants to resolve outstanding issues, that wants to see progress being made," Robinson said.

Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness is set to become first minister next week, but Sinn Fein officials have suggested they may not re-nominate the Irish official for the post.

The Times said such a move could prompt a new round of elections and divide the power-sharing government currently in place.

To avoid such problems, Robinson has called for a fresh set of talks between Northern Ireland's four leading political parties on ways to improve the current power-sharing system.