Tag: DUP

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

A DUP statement has emphasised that violence should have no place or influence in a democracy.

A DUP spokesman said,

“Progress is only made in Northern Ireland when unionists and nationalists are agreed. Northern Ireland always succeeds when we build on foundations and arrangements that are supported by both Unionists and Nationalists.

Politics and democratic processes are the only way that we will succeed in overcoming the challenges of the Protocol.

Violence and/or the threat of it is never acceptable and the DUP always advocates the democratic route as opposed to arguing that there was “no alternative” to violence as some have recently said. We have consistently condemned violence.”

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

North Antrim MP Ian Paisley has accused the Department for Infrastructure of continuing to malign and ignore 100,000 motorcyclists in Northern Ireland. He called on them to use proper data so that motorcycling is not presented as being more dangerous than it is.

His comments follow the recently published the consultation outcome report on the New Road Safety Strategy for Northern Ireland to 2030.

The DUP MP is chair of the APPG on Motorcycling in Parliament and he said, “This latest report suggests that motorcyclists suffered a 36% increase in KSI collisions per 100 million kilometres travelled in 2021. That level of increase not only lacks credibility, but would suggest that motorcycling in Northern Ireland is grossly more hazardous than in Great Britain.

I know that the Motorcycle Action Group (MAG) have pointed out flaws in the DfI statistics in the past and how data is collected, using a small questionnaire sample rather than real-world traffic data which is used by the Department for Transport in Great Britain. The Department is maligning motorcycling as being significantly more hazardous than it is.

Not content with maligning motorcycling, it then ignores the 100,000 motorcyclists in Northern Ireland. Whilst painting it as grossly unsafe, the Department and the outgoing Minister refused to introduce any measures to improve safety. The suggestion was made of an Enhanced Rider Scheme as happens in Great Britain. This was rejected yet the draft Road Safety Review lays out plans to introduce training for safer tractor driving, cycling and for newly qualified drivers. Virtually every road using group is provided for with the sole exception of motorcyclists

This report was quietly released in the last few days, presumably in the knowledge that it would receive little scrutiny. It will not be ignored by anyone involved in motorcycling however and it certainly is an issue that I intend to pursue with the Department.”

The press release issued by the DUP on 27 October 2022.

DUP North Belfast MLA Phillip Brett has challenged the Alliance Party over why they refused to participate in a recall of the NI Assembly for three years when Sinn Fein was protesting about the Irish language yet now they want an Executive without unionists.

Mr Brett said:

“We want to see fully functioning devolved government, but we are facing an election because the Protocol has not been dealt with. Despite lengthy discussions, London and Brussels have so far failed to replace the Protocol with arrangements that Unionists can support. Devolution needs stable foundations with the support of unionists and nationalists.

When SF blocked devolution for three years, we sought to recall the Assembly, not only did the Alliance Party not support our recalls, but they also didn’t even turn up to the sittings.

The Alliance Party now tell us they want majority rule and a devolved government without unionists yet when Sinn Fein was blocking devolution, there was no such call.

Why the two-tier approach? Why is the Alliance Party dancing to Sinn Fein’s tune? One approach to the DUP and another approach to Sinn Fein. There were all kinds of pressures in hospitals and schools for those 1044 days, yet never once did the Alliance Party even attempt to stand up to Sinn Fein.”

The press release issued by the DUP on 21 October 2022.

DUP Leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson MP has told party members and supporters in Lagan Valley that whether there is an election in Westminster or in Stormont, the Protocol rubble needs removed if the devolved government foundations are to be stabilised.

Mr Donaldson said,

“Devolution can only flourish when there is a solid foundation with cross-community support. I want to see fully functioning devolved government restored in Stormont but that can only happen when the Protocol is replaced by arrangements that unionists can support. No unionist MLAs or MPs support the Protocol. That, as I warned 18 months ago, is not compatible with a functioning Executive.

The Protocol rubble needs removed if the devolved government foundations are to be stabilised. You can’t proceed with powersharing, if one community is not on board. It doesn’t work.

The Protocol has polluted every area of government. As we try to fix our NHS, the Protocol is jeopardising the supply of medicines to Northern Ireland. As we try to improve our infrastructure, the Protocol has triggered a costly 25% tariff on the steel used to build our schools, roads, hospitals, and houses. As we try to help people with the cost of living, the Protocol is driving up transport costs and the prices on our shelves. As we encourage people to install green energy, Treasury tax breaks are not available in Northern Ireland because of the Protocol.

When a new Prime Minister is in place, if they want to see a fully functioning Stormont, they will have to deal with the Protocol once and for all. Short term fixes will be a disservice to Northern Ireland. That has been tried in the past. Everyone in Northern Ireland disserves a solution which can allow Stormont Ministers to get on with their job and make Northern Ireland a better place.”

The press release issued by the DUP on 21 October 2022.

DUP Leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson has paid tribute to Baroness May Blood who passed away today.

He said, “May was a fearless and tireless campaigner to make Northern Ireland a better and more peaceful place. She was someone steeped in the community and focused entirely on making their lives better.

May leaves a lasting legacy, not just amongst the many people her work directly helped, but right across Northern Ireland.”

East Belfast MP Gavin Robinson added, “Only last week I was asking after May and her health. She was one of Belfast’s true characters – with classic “city” charm, she strived for social justice, scorned sectarianism and as small as she was, stood up to anyone who strayed in her way.

We had wonderful times at Westminster that I will remember fondly. The rights of women, the quest for children to learn together and for society to grow together are all the better as a result of May Blood. Firmly rooted in the Shankill, the legacy she leaves are the seeds she sowed across our country.”

The press release issued by the DUP on 19 October 2022.

DUP Leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson MP led a Party delegation to meet the Prime Minister in Downing Street on Wednesday afternoon.
Lord Dodds, East Belfast MP Gavin Robinson and Lagan Valley MLA Emma Little-Pengelly were also part of the delegation.

A DUP delegation met this afternoon with the Prime Minister and discussed the current issues related to the protocol.

We welcome the Prime Minister’s ongoing commitment to the Northern Ireland Protocol Bill.

We reiterated our position on the need to restore Northern Ireland’s place within the United Kingdom so that we can have fully functioning political institutions in Northern Ireland.

The press release issued by the DUP on 19 October 2022.

East Belfast MP Gavin Robinson has welcomed the news from Vodafone to offer small businesses a year of free broadband in an effort to reduce rising living costs.

Earlier this year, many major internet providers agreed a social broadband package for those in receipt of certain benefits, to ensure that everyone had the opportunity to be digitally connected.

Commenting on a recent report from OFCOM, Mr Robinson said:

“I welcome the news that Vodafone are providing small businesses with the opportunity to access free broadband. Reliable mobile connectivity is essential and critical to the success of small businesses.

I would also encourage those in receipt of receipt of Universal Credit and Pension Credit to give consideration to the social broadband tariffs provided by a number of internet providers.

The global pandemic and subsequent lockdowns brought attention to the digital gap that exists across households. While many households shifted daily activities including work, school, socialising, and medical appointments online, many low-income homes lacked internet access and were isolated from the digital world.

The UK government reached a deal with major providers like Sky, BT, Virgin Media, and Now to provide a discounted social tariff, which is less expensive than standard broadband bundles, in order to address this issue.

These social tariffs serve as a safety net for homes that might otherwise find it difficult to pay for broadband services. An estimated 4.2 million households in the UK are eligible, according to research by the telecoms regulator, Ofcom.

In my constituency of East Belfast, there are over 6,500 claimants of Universal Credit, many of whom may not be aware that they are eligible for cheaper broadband. A reduction in broadband bills could help some of the most vulnerable stay connected during our cost of living crisis.

Access to broadband is vital for learning, for work and for staying connected. I would encourage people who get Universal Credit or Pension Credit to speak with their broadband providers about switching to a more affordable plan.”

The press release issued by the DUP on 19 October 2022.

Upper Bann MP Carla Lockhart has welcomed the assurances given by the Prime Minister that the triple lock on pensions will be retained. Speculation in recent days had suggested the long standing Government commitment on pensions may be ditched.

Speaking from Westminster, Carla Lockhart said:

“The DUP secured the triple lock on pensions as part of our Confidence and Supply agreement with the Conservative Party in 2017. It offers surety to pensioners that their income would increase by a minimum of 2.5% per year.

With inflation now at 10.1%, it is vital that pensions keep in lock step with the rising cost of living to ensure pensioners do not face additional hardship.

It has been deeply concerning in recent days that some have speculated the triple lock may be ditched in the Government’s latest measure to address the economic turmoil we have seen over recent weeks. The DUP opposed any such measure and made our position known to the Government that ditching the triple lock would be unacceptable.

We welcome todays commitment in the House of Commons by the Prime Minister that the triple lock will remain in place. We will continue to stand up for the financial wellbeing of pensioners, protecting them from any attempt to snatch money from them that they need. We are glad the Government has stepped back from pursuing any such proposal.”

The press release issued by the DUP on 19 October 2022.

DUP East Belfast MP Gavin Robinson has said whether there is another Assembly election or not, the problem of the Protocol remains and must be addressed before devolution is restored.

Mr Robinson said,

“An election just a few months ago told us that every unionist MLA is opposed to the Northern Ireland Protocol, yet the EU has failed to respond to this democratic statement. The EU negotiating mandate remains wedded to a Protocol which is unacceptable to unionists. This must change.

It is entirely the Secretary of State’s decision whether there is an election, but London and Brussels must accept, it is the Protocol which is the blockage to devolution being restored. The Protocol is driving up costs for consumers by a 25% tariff on steel used in building schools, roads, hospitals, and houses. It is driving up grocery costs by increasing haulage costs from GB to NI.

We remain absolutely committed to the restoration of devolution once the Protocol is replaced by arrangements which unionists can support.”

The press release issued by the DUP on 18 October 2022.

DUP North Antrim MP Ian Paisley has said that confirmation from the Northern Ireland Secretary of State that only ‘talks’ are taking place between Brussels and London is another reminder that the EU must change their negotiating mandate.

The comments were made at a public session of the Northern Ireland Affairs Committee in Westminster.

Mr Paisley said,

“For more than two years unionism has been pressing for change, only to be told repeatedly told that there can be ‘no renegotiation’ of the NI Protocol. This mindset must change. Fundamentally, without a change to the negotiating mandate in Brussels, there will not be the space to reach an outcome which unionists can support.

Every unionist MLA and MP opposes the Protocol. Powersharing is only possible with the support of unionists and nationalists. The Protocol must be replaced with arrangements that unionists can support if there is going to be a basis to restore devolution.”