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Tag: 2022

  • Diane Dodds – 2022 Comments on IRA Murders and Democracy in Northern Ireland

    Diane Dodds – 2022 Comments on IRA Murders and Democracy in Northern Ireland

    The comments made by Diane Dodds, the DUP MLA for Upper Bann, on 5 November 2022.

    In Christmas 1996 the IRA came into the Royal Victoria Children’s hospital to murder my husband and I as we sat by our son’s bedside. It’s high time Michelle O’Neill and Mary Lou McDonald accepted there was an alternative to unleashing gunmen in a children’s hospital and condemned the murderous and reckless act.

    The DUP made clear there was no basis for government last February when we were the largest party. Unlike Sinn Fein we have always respected the ballot box and the rule of law.

    The DUP accepts the last election result but rejects the NI Protocol that Sinn Fein wants rigorously implemented. False claims about the last election come straight from the Sinn Fein textbook of lying about political opponents.

    Stormont can only function with unionists and nationalists so until the Protocol is sorted there is no solid basis for moving forward.

  • Diane Dodds – 2022 Comments on the Northern Ireland Protocol

    Diane Dodds – 2022 Comments on the Northern Ireland Protocol

    The comments made by Diane Dodds, the DUP MLA for Upper Bann, on 4 November 2022.

    Unionism is united in opposition to the Protocol and would have demonstrated such unity at the ballot box. We have a mandate for the action we have taken and would have happily renewed and strengthened our mandate had a December poll taken place.

    Both the Government and the EU have been aware of our consistent position regarding the sustainability of Stormont since February 2021 and successive Prime Ministers and Secretaries of State have squandered that time.

    Whilst the last two years have been fruitless, because of Brussels being in denial about the flawed Protocol, the Secretary of State should use this time wisely to ensure that the Protocol is replaced by arrangements that restore Northern Ireland’s place in the United Kingdom.

    The Government need to deliver an outcome that unionists can support either through the NI Protocol Bill or through negotiations. But they must realise that there will be no return for fully functioning devolved government until the Protocol is dealt with.

    Political progress in Northern Ireland has been hard won but fundamentally it is built on the support of unionists and nationalists. London and Brussels must recognise that real progress can be made but never by one section of our people dominating another. That will never produce durable or balanced outcomes.

  • Caroline Lucas – 2022 Comments on Rishi Sunak and COP27

    Caroline Lucas – 2022 Comments on Rishi Sunak and COP27

    The comments made by Caroline Lucas, the Green Party MP for Brighton Pavilion, on Twitter on 7 November 2022.

    PM has no credibility when he urges others at #COP27 to keep Glasgow commitments when his own Govt hasn’t met finance pledges, hasn’t raised ambition of UK emission cuts, is continuing fossil fuel subsidies, won’t rule out new coal and is greenlighting more oil & gas #WalkTheTalk

  • PRESS RELEASE : Stephen Dunne helps mark 100 years of policing at Stormont [November 2022]

    PRESS RELEASE : Stephen Dunne helps mark 100 years of policing at Stormont [November 2022]

    The press release issued by the DUP on 4 November 2022.

    North Down MLA Stephen Dunne has paid tribute to the “legacy to be proud of” in 100 years of policing. The DUP MLA hosted an event for the NI Retired Police Officers Association at Stormont on Thursday evening.

    The guest of honour at the event was former Chief Constable Sir Ronnie Flanagan GBE QPM.

    Speaking after the event Mr Dunne said, “It was a real honour and privilege to host members of the NIRPOA at Stormont, marking 100 years of policing. The strapline for the event was a “legacy to be proud of” and there can be no more fitting summary for all those who have served our community throughout the last century.

    For the vast majority of that time they served under the banner of the Royal Ulster Constabulary and over many decades that brought with it a significant threat. That service and sacrifice was recognised through the award of the George Cross, but it is important that we continue to remember and highlight the proud history of policing here.

    Northern Ireland has made significant progress and whilst there are still many challenges that we face, we are able to build on the foundation laid for us by all those who served to protect the community and uphold the law here.

  • Diane Forsythe – 2022 Comments on Windfall Tax on Energy Companies

    Diane Forsythe – 2022 Comments on Windfall Tax on Energy Companies

    The comments made by Diane Forsythe, the DUP MLA for South Down, on 3 November 2022.

    Energy generators are experiencing eyewatering bumper profits with some shareholder dividends rising by 15% yet some of those same companies have not had to pay a penny towards the windfall tax put in place in May. That is scandalous.

    The Government needs to put in place a proper windfall tax on the energy giants so it will then ease the tax burden on already hard-pressed households by helping them further with schemes such as Tax Free Childcare.

    Whilst the electricity cap has made a real tangible difference for householders this month, we now need the £400 energy payment also delivered in Northern Ireland. The previous Prime Minister was clear in her commitment that households in Northern Ireland would receive the £400 energy bill discount in November.

    The DUP is in Westminster fighting for Northern Ireland to get real help for working families, whether that be in their electric, gas or oil bills or with their childcare costs. Our MPs made a submission to Treasury last March pressing for help for households and proper taxes on the online and energy giants. It is now time for the Government to properly tax these giants.

  • Trevor Clarke – 2022 Comments on New Decade New Approach Policing Agreement

    Trevor Clarke – 2022 Comments on New Decade New Approach Policing Agreement

    The comments made by Trevor Clarke, the DUP MP for South Antrim, on 3 November 2022.

    The Chief Constable has reported that there will be 1,000 fewer officers in the PSNI by 2025. Already, tough decisions are being made to delay the repair of vehicles, slow down the issue of equipment and reduce occupational health services because of the pressures facing the police budget.

    Local communities and the PSNI workforce deserve better than this.

    The New Decade New Approach agreement contained a UK Government commitment – not an aspiration – to increasing police numbers to 7,500. That pledge has been utterly ignored and we are now seeing headcount plummeting toward 6,000.

    While the Secretary of State dithers and delays over the date of an election, the challenges facing policing, including the potential for a smaller and slower response to tackling crime and harm, continue to grow.

    The roots of this problem lie with years of under-investment with successive Justice Ministers in place. Furthermore, far from being a panacea, the Sinn Fein draft budget would have left the PSNI bereft of a further £226m over the next year years. This crisis will not be averted by just restoring the Executive.

    It is also important to be honest with the public and our hard-pressed officers. Any funding still available to the Executive could be spent three, five and probably even seven times over by our Departments, such are the pressures they face.

    Mr Heaton-Harris should acknowledge that if the average 5% pay award is good for officers in his own constituency, then officers are PSNI are worthy of that recognition too. A timely solution to the issue of public sector pay awards is needed across the Board and the Treasury first and foremost must increase its engagement to bring forward delivery arrangements that are fair.

    Ultimately, the NIO must now advocate for the practical and financial support that is desperately needed for policing in Northern Ireland. If it does not, the impact of a freeze on recruitment will be stark for communities in need of a visible, effective and responsive police service. It will not be a case of simply turning the tap back on. The Government needs to act now to protect all of our citizens and defend the gains that have been made through recent investment in neighbourhood policing.’

  • Carla Lockhart – 2022 Statement on Meeting with Chris Heaton-Harris

    Carla Lockhart – 2022 Statement on Meeting with Chris Heaton-Harris

    The statement made by Carla Lockhart, the DUP MP for Upper Bann, on 2 November 2022.

    It is deeply regrettable that the Secretary of State has continued down the pathway of Brandon Lewis by commissioning abortion services here in Northern Ireland.

    This is a devolved matter. It is for those elected to the Northern Ireland Assembly, and those appointed to serve in any future Executive, to decide on the law regarding abortion in this part of the United Kingdom.

    In a society where there are such deeply held views, on both sides of the argument, it is not surprising that reaching consensus on this issue at Stormont has been elusive. However, the answer to that is not to impose the pro-abortion minority viewpoint, when the clear majority in Northern Ireland are against the liberal abortion regime being pursued by the Secretary of State.

    We made this point forcibly to the Secretary of State and that his actions undermine both the devolution settlement in Northern Ireland and how devolution might be viewed by many people. The Secretary of State should be working to see the return of devolution and local decision making in Northern Ireland, not stripping away key decisions.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Business secretary urged to honour commitment on £400 payment in Northern Ireland [November 2022]

    PRESS RELEASE : Business secretary urged to honour commitment on £400 payment in Northern Ireland [November 2022]

    The press release issued by the DUP on 2 November 2022.

    DUP Leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson has pressed the Government to honour the commitment made by the previous Prime Minister that households in Northern Ireland would receive their £400 energy payment in November, and certainly before Christmas.

    He was speaking after a meeting today with the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy.

    Sir Jeffrey said, “The cost of living crisis is impacting families across every corner of the United Kingdom, and it is vital that the support from our UK Government benefits all those families equally.

    The previous Prime Minister was clear in her commitment that households in Northern Ireland would receive the £400 energy bill discount in November. The current Prime Minister has also been very clear in his resolve to ensure that the UK will support those in need during this crisis.

    Comments from the Utility Regulator that payments may not be made until January have caused great concern for many people and the Government must act to reassure people in this part of the United Kingdom. Given the delay and the urgency, the £400 should also be made as a single payment rather than in a number of instalments.

    I have urged the Business Secretary to end this uncertainty and offer reassurance to households in Northern Ireland. As we approach ever-darker and colder days, the need for energy support increases. We are already in the midst of this crisis and people must have certainty when they attempt to prepare their family budget.”

  • Gregory Campbell – 2022 Comments on Sinn Fein and Democracy

    Gregory Campbell – 2022 Comments on Sinn Fein and Democracy

    The comments made by Gregory Campbell, the DUP MP for East Londonderry, on 2 November 2022.

    Over recent weeks Sinn Fein repeatedly called for the imposition of ‘joint authority’. Last week in the Dail, Mary Lou McDonald described it as the “only alternative” if there was not an agreement to form an Executive by the deadline.

    The Secretary of State eventually made a statement clarifying the matter but held off on an election date. Sinn Fein then went off message from everyone else actually calling for an election when every other Party and commentator in the Country was indicating the pointlessness of holding one now.

    Having remained silent on the issue last week, Michelle O’Neill is now talking about the “legal obligation to call an election”. democracy is never Sinn Fein’s first choice.

    An election won’t resolve the fundamental issues facing Northern Ireland. Only through dealing with the Northern Ireland Protocol can devolution be restored. If that happens then devolution can be restored on the basis of the Assembly election result.

    The opportunity was there for Sinn Fein and other parties to help avoid the current situation. Instead of acknowledging the issues caused by the Protocol they were demanding its rigorous implementation and blocking any discussions at the Executive table.

  • Jeffrey Donaldson – 2022 Comments on the Northern Ireland Protocol

    Jeffrey Donaldson – 2022 Comments on the Northern Ireland Protocol

    The comments made by Sir Jeffrey Donaldson, the Leader of the DUP, on 1 November 2022.

    Political progress in Northern Ireland was hard won and is built on the support of unionists and nationalists. One section of our people dominating another will never produce durable or balanced outcomes. We warned of this in the House of Commons immediately after the Protocol was put in place.

    Not one single unionist MLA or MP supports the Protocol. We need a solid foundation for devolved government to flourish. One which can command the support of unionists as well as nationalists. There will be no basis for an Executive and Assembly until the Protocol is replaced with arrangements that restore Northern Ireland’s place in the U.K. internal market and our constitutional arrangements are respected.