Tag: Press Release

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

Below is the text of a letter sent by DUP Leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson MP to the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland on Friday.

Dear Secretary of State,

It is 709 days since the Conservative Government passed legislation in the House of Commons which abandoned Northern Ireland into the clutches of the Northern Ireland Protocol. That Protocol has, as we warned at its conception, undermined the institutions flowing from the Belfast and successor Agreements. Rather than expending energy targeting the DUP, the Government would be better to focus on replacing the Protocol with arrangements that unionists and nationalists can support.

His Majesty’s Treasury has confirmed to my colleague Gregory Campbell MP that the Trader Support Service, established to help companies deal with NI Protocol generated paperwork, has cost the taxpayer £318.7 million. That’s £436k per day or £18k per hour. That £436k per day could employ more than ten highly experienced full-time nurses in Northern Ireland for a year.

This means that whilst you as Secretary of State talk about protecting our public services including health, the Protocol related paperwork costs the salary of more than 10 highly experienced nurses every single day.

Whilst I understand the steps you have taken with regard to MLAs’ salaries, I do not understand why the Government has delayed the vital £600 energy support payments to people in Northern Ireland by making fundamental changes to the scheme in the mouth of Christmas.

A number of government ministers, including the former Prime Minister, had stated clearly that the payments would be made to households in Northern Ireland in November. The energy companies were completing their preparations to facilitate the payments last month until the Government moved the goal posts and demanded a “cash-out” option which a previous HMG Minister had said was not required nor wanted.

Rather than trying to deflect blame onto the DUP for this delay, would it not be better for the Government to fully explain the rationale behind the decision to change the scheme at this late stage so that at least people can understand what is happening and why the payments are delayed?

Following the restoration of devolution in early 2020, we operated Stormont for two years and despite no unionist MLAs supporting the Protocol our concerns were not addressed. I warned the then Prime Minister on 1 July 2021 that the Protocol and devolution were not compatible. I repeated that warning on 9 September 2021 and we withdrew our First Minister on 3rd February 2022 because our warnings had resulted in no real or decisive action by the Government to deal with the Protocol.

We were forced to stop operating the institutions to bring matters to a head. I regret that it took such decisive action on our part to make people accept there was a problem. I am however glad that people in Sinn Fein, the SDLP, the Alliance Party as well as Dublin and Brussels now no longer talk about ‘rigorous implementation’ of the Protocol. They accept there are problems but we now need a solution that unionists can also support.

Unionists will not be bullied or cajoled. There is no solid basis for an Executive and Assembly until the Protocol is replaced with arrangements that restore NI’s place in the U.K. Internal Market and our constitutional arrangements are respected. The Government need to deliver that either through the Protocol Bill or through negotiations which deliver a similar outcome.

The Government and the EU have been aware of our consistent position regarding the sustainability of Stormont for almost two years. That time has been squandered. Whilst the EU must bear primary responsibility as a result of their inflexible negotiating mandate, successive Prime Ministers and Secretaries of State have not succeeded in addressing the problem either. Rather than being at loggerheads, I hope that you and I can work together during your term of office to find the solution.

That will require a change of attitude on the part of some in the Northern Ireland Office who seem to have forgotten that political progress in NI was hard won and is built on the support of unionists and nationalists. Not one unionist MLA or MP supports the Protocol. The idea that one section of our people will dominate the other and ignore the concerns of unionists will never produce durable or balanced outcomes.

To any neutral observer, devolution and the Protocol were never going to be compatible.

Indeed, on a practical level, every day Northern Ireland is subjected to some new Protocol problem that bedevils a business or a consumer.

We must remember all these problems are at a time when only a fraction of the Protocol is implemented. Large swaths of the Protocol are negated by the operation of grace periods either with or without the consent of both sides. These grace periods are ensuring we have food on our shelves and medicines in our hospitals.

Replacing the Protocol is not a unionist question or a nationalist question.

At a time when households and businesses can least afford it, haulage costs between GB and Northern Ireland have risen by nearly 30% as a direct result of the Protocol.

Under the Protocol, there is a 25% tariff on the steel used to build our schools, roads, hospitals, and houses if the steel comes from Great Britain.

The trade friction between Northern Ireland and Great Britain is fuelling the cost-of-living crisis locally as well as restricting consumer choice.

But we must also consider the constitutional challenge as the Protocol represents an existential threat to the future of Northern Ireland’s place within the Union. It must be replaced by arrangements that fully protect and restore Northern Ireland’s place within the UK Internal Market as promised by the Government in the New Decade New Approach Agreement.

We welcomed and supported the introduction of the Northern Ireland Protocol Bill at Westminster. If fully enacted, this legislation has the potential to provide the solution that will free Northern Ireland from the grip of the Protocol and restore our rights as British citizens to trade freely with the rest of our own nation under Article 6 of the Acts of Union. But its progress is tediously slow.

In 119 days, people in London, Belfast, Dublin and Washington will mark the twenty-fifth anniversary of the Belfast Good Friday Agreement. Let’s be clear, if the Protocol and it’s trade suffocating measures are not replaced with new arrangements that both unionists and nationalists can support, then that date will come and go without a functioning government in Stormont.

I truly hope this can be avoided and we must all redouble our efforts to secure a credible solution.

Yours faithfully

Sir Jeffrey Donaldson MP

Leader

Democratic Unionist Party

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

North Antrim MP Ian Paisley has said that if Leo Varadkar wants to prioritise power sharing as Taoiseach then he must accept the toxic impact of the Northern Ireland Protocol.

The DUP MP said, “Whilst power-sharing and the operation of the Assembly is a Strand One issue and is therefore a matter for the local parties and the United Kingdom Government, it does have an impact on North-South relations.

The Protocol should be used as a warning of the damage that can be imposed on power-sharing, even by something that was supposedly introduced to protect the Belfast Agreement. Community relations within Northern Ireland have been damaged, and North-South relations impacted too because of the Protocol, and also due to some of Leo Varakar’s own rhetoric and actions.

His forecasts that ‘troops could be back on the border’ came after previous use of a newspaper article in relation to the PIRA bombing of a customs post. These were all unhelpful and did nothing to stabilise power-sharing in Northern Ireland or improve cross-border relations.

If the incoming Taoiseach can help secure a solution to the Protocol which respects Northern Ireland’s place within the United Kingdom and which can be supported by unionists as well as nationalists then devolution based on cross-community consensus can return in Northern Ireland. That would be a significantly better legacy for Leo Vardkar to leave from his next period as the Republic’s Prime Minister.”

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

The DUP’s lead Policing Board representative Trevor Clarke has reacted to the news that a probationary police officer repositioned after the PSNI operation on the anniversary of the Sean Graham atrocity has been completely vindicated by the Police Ombudsman.

Commenting, the South Antrim MLA said:

‘‘Having completing its investigation, the Police Ombudsman has found this officer to be entirely innocent of any wrongdoing. I welcome this outcome and hope it goes some way to affording the officer involved and his family the opportunity to rebuild their lives.

Equally, this development casts a dark shadow over the Chief Constable’s decision to take action against this officer within hours of the incident and without affording them the protection of due process. We shouldn’t forget that Simon Byrne used as the basis for his decision to reposition this vindicated officer the fact that he had personally reviewed body cam footage and adjudged the actions of officers to not be in keeping with the values of the PSNI. This sadly calls into question his professional judgement.

It is also clear that this case still has some distance to go. The Police Federation have sought leave to take a judicial review against the Chief Constable in respect of the lawfulness of the treatment of these two officers. In proceedings to date, submissions by legal counsel on behalf of the Chief Constable appear to suggest that political pressure, including by senior figures in Sinn Fein, had a bearing on the PSNI’s knee-jerk reaction to this operation.

Therefore is crucial that we establish all of the facts. Other innocent officers must not face the ignominy of their careers being put on hold and having their reputations trashed by unfair decisions taken by their employer in the heat of the moment. As we have said before, the public interest is not what Sinn Fein dictates it to be.

The Chief Constable also has a duty of care to his workforce. The suggestion that neither officers has been contacted, let alone provided access to aftercare, is a poor reflection on the PSNI and its commitment to staff health and wellbeing.

It is also concerning that the latest developments were capable of being broadcast in the mainstream media without first having been brought to, and discussed by, the Policing Board. The DUP will continue to press for fuller and more transparent scrutiny of these issues in the days ahead, whilst advocating for those officers affected to be provided with the practical support that they need.’’

The press release issued by the DUP on 8 December 2022.

The DUP’s lead Policing Board representative Trevor Clarke MLA has welcomed an assurance from the Chief Constable that there are no plans to withdraw personal protection firearms from police officers in Northern Ireland.

Commenting after raising the issue at Thursday’s meeting of the Policing Board, Trevor Clarke said:

‘‘The upsurge in dissident republican activity in recent weeks highlights exactly why police officers in Northern Ireland should continue to carry weapons for their personal protection.

These groups have demonstrated both the intent and the capabilities to murder and maim. Therefore it would be entirely reckless to leave officers as sitting ducks against such a threat.

The security situation in Northern Ireland is far from normal. The current ‘substantial’ terror threat means an attack is likely and might occur without warning. Ensuring officers have recourse to protect themselves and respond to armed threats against the public is necessary and justified.

Those who claim that the challenges facing PSNI officers is somehow on a par with their counterparts in other regions of the United Kingdom, are living in a fool’s paradise. In this context, I welcome the Chief Constable’s assurance that there are no plans to change the status quo.

The DUP is clear that evidence-based protections for officers must not be cast aside for political expediency.’

The press release issued by the DUP on 8 December 2022.

The DUP’s Upper Bann MLA Diane Dodds has reminded the Secretary of State that the reason the NI Assembly and Executive is not functioning is because of the Protocol imposed by his Government.

Mrs Dodds said,

“The Secretary of State is gravely mistaken if he thinks adjusting MLA pay and erecting delays to energy payments will lead to a restoration of devolution.

There is no solid basis for an Executive and Assembly until the Protocol is replaced with arrangements that restore NI’s place in the U.K. internal market and our constitutional arrangements are respected. The Government need to deliver that either through the Bill or through negotiations which deliver a similar outcome.

The Government and the EU have been aware of our consistent position regarding the sustainability of Stormont since February 2021. Successive Prime Ministers and Secretaries of State have squandered that time rather than addressing the problem.

For those who have forgotten, political progress in NI was hard won and is built on the support of unionists and nationalists. Not one unionist MLA supports the Protocol. The idea that one section of our people will dominate the other and ignore unionists can never produce durable or balanced outcomes.”

The press release issued by the DUP on 8 December 2022.

East Londonderry MP Gregory Campbell has welcomed the news that work has begun on the first 5-star hotel in East Londonderry.

The DUP MP said,

“I welcome the news that the building work is now underway at Dunluce Lodge, the north coast’s first 5-star hotel & spa. The £16.5m development, funded by American investment, will see the creation of a 35-room luxury complex overlooking the 4th fairway at Royal Portrush Golf Club. The new hotel will help create 80 jobs and that does not include the jobs supported during the construction of the hotel.

Hospitality is a major part of our local economy in East Londonderry and with the opportunity of The Open returning in 2025 we need a strong offering to increase overnight stays and associated benefits for local shops, restaurants and the wider hospitality sector. It has been the case in the past that objections have been raised to other similar type of projects which have delayed the progress towards a better offering in the region, but thankfully while progress can be delayed it cannot be stopped. It is to be hoped we see further investment in our local economy which supports our tourism offering and creates jobs. Scheduled for opening in advance of the 2025 Open Championship this is a welcome boost to our tourism sector.”

The press release issued by the DUP on 8 December 2022.

Upper Bann MP Carla Lockhart has urged Royal Mail Management to engage constructively with Unions with a view to bringing an end to industrial action impacting postal services. The DUP representative made the call following contact from constituents who had missed health care appointments due to correspondence arriving late.

Carla Lockhart said:

“In recent days I have been contacted by constituents who have been awaiting correspondence relating to health care appointments, and who received the letter with the appointment details after the scheduled date. They have therefore missed important health intervention, whilst valuable time for healthcare clinicians at a time of extreme pressures on our health service has been lost. The hospitals must also consider steps to avoid being impacted by the industrial action.

That is an unacceptable situation, and it cannot be allowed to go on indefinitely. Postal workers in my constituency report a significant backlog of mail in sorting depots. I have no doubt that people are missing out on vital mail as a result of the failure of Royal Mail management to find a compromise with workers who want to be at work, but also need assurances for the future of their jobs and the services Royal Mail are expected to deliver.

Ultimately it would appear that the legal duty upon Royal Mail to deliver this service is not being met. Our posties are key workers, and need remunerated accordingly, within the budgets that allow Royal Mail to continue to operate and fulfil the legal duties upon them. In the run up to Christmas I appeal for both sides to once again stretch themselves with a view to finding agreement that will allow the full restoration of postal services as soon as possible.”

The press release issued by the DUP on 8 December 2022.

South Down DUP MLA Diane Forsythe has welcomed the UEFA sanction against the FAI after their senior female team celebrated qualifying for the World Cup in Australia by singing a pro-IRA song. Ms Forsythe had written to the UEFA immediately after the incident in October 2022.

“UEFA stated that this incident was a “violation of the basic rules of decent conduct”. This is proper recognition of the offensive nature of “ooh Aah Up The Ra” and UEFA is correct to impose this fine. As role models to young people, it is right that the standard of their behaviour is held to account. This action however stands in contrast to the inaction by other organisations when similar chants have taken place.

Republican terrorists were responsible for 60% of the deaths during the Troubles. People of all ages, all genders and all faiths were systematically targeted and murdered in the most cruel manner by the IRA. Some of those families whose loved ones were murdered have never even been told where the IRA buried their loved one.

The Sinn Fein leadership continue to justify and celebrate the IRA rather than recognise they were a barbaric, cruel and illegal terrorist organisation. For anyone to be glorifying the IRA is utterly insensitive to IRA victims.”

The press release issued by the DUP on 7 December 2022.

Upper Bann MP Carla Lockhart has endorsed the message from the Consumer Council NI made at the Northern Ireland Affairs Committee, that the Government should issue the Energy Bill Support Scheme immediately to households in Northern Ireland.

Speaking after the Committee session today in Westminster, Carla Lockhart said:

“The Government could, if it wanted to, make this payment. It could have made it already, but chose to delay the payment in a futile attempt to make people demand the immediate return of Stormont.

There is no such demand for the return of Stormont amongst the unionist community until the concerns with the Protocol are addressed. It is an insult to Unionists to suggest they would allow the Protocol to remain to accelerate the energy support payment.

The payment can be made last week if the Government had not moved the goal posts. My colleague Gavin Robinson MP exposed the myth propagated by the Government, and endorsed by SF, SDLP, Alliance and UUP, that the lack of devolution is holding up payments. It is a nonsense. It is only being made to undermine Unionism’s case to replace the Protocol.

Today, the Consumer Council for Northern Ireland reinforced their call for the payment to be made now to support households. The DUP support that call, and again we say to the Government that they can and must issue this payment as soon as possible.

We will remain resolute in our determination to get this payment made. We urge the Government to have the same resolve. If they do, the support can be provided imminently.”