Tag: DUP

The press release issued by the DUP on 11 November 2022.

DUP North Belfast MLA Phillip Brett has challenged the parties who called for the ‘rigorous implementation’ of the Protocol to justify the current spending of £375,000 per day on a Trader Support Service which would multiply many times over if the Protocol was fully implemented.

Mr Brett said,

“Treasury has confirmed to my colleague Gregory Campbell MP that the Trader Support Service which helps companies deal with NI Protocol generated paperwork, cost £63m for the first six months of this year. That’s £375k per day or £15k per hour.

Those parties, namely Sinn Fein, SDLP and Alliance, who called for the full implementation of the Protocol must accept that the ending of the grace periods and full implementation would mean this cost would multiply many times over. Indeed, our main transport companies in Northern Ireland have said the full implementation of the Protocol would lead to a collapse of our supply chain within 48 hours. They even warned that people ‘better have their freezer full’.

Rather than the rigorous implementation of the Protocol, we need the Protocol replaced with arrangements which restore Northern Ireland’s place in the U.K. internal market and which ensure our constitutional arrangements are respected.”

The press release issued by the DUP on 10 November 2022.

DUP Leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson has called for a return to the principle of consensus and cross community support in order to see the restoration of devolution in Northern Ireland. His comments come as the British Irish Council is due to meet in Blackpool.

Sir Jeffrey said,

“As the Prime Minister and the Taoiseach meet in Blackpool there should be a recommitment to the key issue of consensus and the need for cross-community support in Northern Ireland. If the main aim of both the UK and the EU is to protect the Belfast Agreement then any solution must be built on that key foundation upon which the Agreement itself is based.

Increasingly we hear some parties in Northern Ireland claim to uphold the Agreement on one hand whilst on the other they seek to exclude and sideline unionism. Notably, the desire to exclude one political tradition was not expressed by these same parties at any point during the three years that Sinn Fein prevented the formation of an Executive.

The DUP has set out 7 tests by which new arrangements will be judged. These are not a unionist wish list, but are based on promises that have already been made to the people of Northern Ireland and that should be honoured. It is not too much to ask that the government stands over those promises.

I hope the Prime Minister and the Taoiseach are as keen to see devolution restored as I am. That can only happen however when there is a stable foundation through the provision of cross-community consensus. Restoring Northern Ireland’s place within the United Kingdom and removing the barriers to trade created by the Protocol in a way that can receive unionist support will put that foundation in place.”

The press release issued by the DUP on 9 November 2022.

Sir Jeffrey said,

“The Secretary of State has announced he is amending legislation which emanates from the New Decade New Approach agreement yet one of the NDNA commitments from the Government which is not being implemented is the restoration of Northern Ireland’s place within the United Kingdom internal market.

If the Secretary of State wants to restore Stormont, then he must ensure the Government replaces the Protocol with arrangements that unionists can support.”

Mr Donaldson continued,

“Whilst people speak about their desire to protect the Belfast Agreement, they fail to recognise the core element of the Agreement was consensus, yet every unionist MLA and MP opposes the Protocol.

Progress is only made in Northern Ireland when there is a foundation based on the consent of unionists and nationalists. Indeed, some of those seeking to now abandon consent were silent for 1044 days when Sinn Fein blocked devolution over the Irish language.”

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.

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.”

The press release issued by the DUP on 1 November 2022.

Upper Bann MP Carla Lockhart has said the decision by Firmus Energy to remove their minimum consumption charge for customers is a welcome step for hard pressed households faced with the pressures associated with energy costs. She had been lobbying Firmus on this issue following a large number of consumers getting in touch concerning this charge.

Carla Lockhart said:

“Everyone is aware of the pressures on household budgets as a consequence of record energy prices.

As we now enter into a colder period of weather, many families will be making the difficult decision of balancing the need for heat with the extortionate cost of heat. I have no doubt that in many homes across Northern Ireland, reduction in the amount of energy consumed will be the norm this winter as people try to make ends meet.

In light of this focus on efficiency it is important that energy companies do not impose unfair charges on the basis of minimum usage. I am delighted that after engagement with Firmus Energy, they have decided to remove their minimum consumption charge. This will save households £71.99 plus VAT.

I commend Firmus Energy for taking this step. It will make a difference to some households and is a welcome and timely boost. We now need to be continuing to work to see the price of gas fall, whilst also ensuring Government energy support packages are fit for purpose and remain for as long as they are necessary.”

The press release issued by the DUP on 31 October 2022.

Democratic Unionist MLA Keith Buchanan has called on all those who represent the Mid Ulster Constituency to take a strong stand against the kind of sectarian hatred which led to the arson attack on Ballynougher Orange Hall.

The Mid Ulster MLA said, “The individual or individuals responsible for this crime are those who forced their way into the hall and deliberately set out to destroy it. It was a sectarian hate-crime perpetrated against their neighbours and they deserve to face the full weight of the law for it.

Such intolerance however can be fed by an atmosphere of hostility and there needs to be strong leadership to counter it. When there is a failure to take a clear stand against sectarian chants that glorify the IRA it fuels a toxic atmosphere. When there are calls to exclude unionism from political decision-making or to impose joint authority on Northern Ireland it only serves to increase the political temperature. When some in positions of leadership claim there was no alternative to violence and intimidation in the past then it is no surprise that others see that as a ‘green light’ to emulate those tactics today.

I would call on all those who represent the Mid Ulster Constituency to take a clear public stand against this attack on Ballynougher Orange Hall and on the kind of sectarianism we have seen all too often in recent months. The weekend’s attack is not the first Orange Hall to be damaged in recent weeks and many will feel that it is not a coincidence that such attacks increase when there has been an absence of leadership within republicanism.”

The press release issued by the DUP on 30 October 2022.

DUP Mid Ulster MLA Keith Buchanan and DUP Councillor Anne Forde have called for political leadership from all parties in Mid Ulster after Ballynougher Orange Hall, outside Magherafelt, was seriously damaged by fire.

Mr Buchanan said,

“I visited the hall this evening as fire crews were battling to bring the blaze under control. One of the metal window-guards had been removed when the fire was discovered. The fire has seriously damaged the hall with the roof collapsed.

The police are investigating the circumstances. I call on anyone with information to contact the police in Magherafelt.

I also call on all political leaders to condemn those who continue to attack Orange Halls. It speaks volumes that this hall had to have metal sheets across all its windows and doors in the first place. There is no place for such hatred in society. The men and women of that lodge have every right to exist in Mid Ulster and live peaceably.”

Cllr Anne Forde said,

“This lodge is well rooted in the community and has been here for over 100 years. The folks in the lodge just want to be respected and be able to celebrate their Orange culture. Those who are so intolerant as to want the hall destroyed need removed from our streets. This is not an attack on bricks and mortar, it is an attack on the people who use that facility.”

The press release issued by the DUP on 30 October 2022.

DUP Director of Elections and East Antrim MLA Gordon Lyons has said Sinn Fein is more focused on convincing us the IRA had ‘no alternative’ than they are on recognising the damage the Protocol will do to Northern Ireland.

Gordon Lyons said,

“Michelle O’Neill couldn’t care less about the view of unionists. She is playing dog whistle politics, but the facts speak for themselves. Sir Jeffrey made a speech on 1 July 2021 and another one on 9 September 2021 setting out how the Protocol was incompatible with devolution and the actions we were going to take. We then withdrew our First Minister several months before the Assembly election even took place. Our actions have nothing to do with the election result.

We all know Sinn Fein don’t want Northern Ireland to work but for those of us who do want Northern Ireland to prosper the Government should focus its energy on ensuring the Protocol is dealt with and Northern Ireland’s place in the U.K. internal market is restored.

Progress is only made in Northern Ireland with the support of unionists and nationalists. Not a single unionist MLA supports the Protocol. Sinn Fein doesn’t care about the view of unionists and still want the Protocol “rigorously implemented”. Indeed, Michelle O’Neill seems to care more about justifying the IRA than the fact our main hauliers say the Protocol would empty our shelves within 48hrs.

Sinn Fein should start listening to unionists because until the Protocol is replaced there will not be a sound and solid basis to see a return of devolved government.”

The press release issued by the DUP on 28 October 2022.

DUP Leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson MP has called on the Government to focus on resolving the problem rather than dithering over an election.

Sir Jeffrey said:

“The Government and the NIO talked up an election and now no one knows what is happening. Parliament is sovereign and can of course legislate to keep Ministers if it so wishes.

It is now clear the Secretary of State’s boss, the Prime Minister, has not yet decided how to proceed.

The Government should focus its time and energy on ensuring the Protocol problem is dealt with and Northern Ireland’s place in the U.K. internal market is restored.

We are ready to fight an immediate election if one is called. An election will not solve the problem which is that until the Protocol is replaced there will not be a sound and solid basis to see a return of devolved government.

So our message to the Government continues to be that they need to get the Protocol replaced and then we will have the basis for establishing a devolved government that Unionists and Nationalists can support.

The Government has undermined its own credibility in recent weeks, instead of focusing on the underlying problem.”