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THE DUP LEADER has said it is “simply not the case” that her party is boycotting north-south political meetings in protest at the Northern Ireland Protocol.
Arlene Foster’s comments came as other executive parties held a series of meetings today to discuss two DUP no-shows at sectoral meetings of the North South Ministerial Council in recent weeks.
As Foster was addressing the Assembly, Sinn Féin President Mary Lou McDonald told a Stormont press conference that the DUP could not “cherry pick” from the Good Friday Agreement.
McDonald urged the party to clarify whether it will participate in future north-south political meetings.
SDLP leader Colum Eastwood also accused the DUP of “childish” behaviour.
The latest incident unfolded on Friday, when SDLP minister Nichola Mallon said a meeting with Irish transport minister Eamon Ryan was cancelled at the last minute after the DUP failed to nominate a unionist minister to attend.
One accompanying minister from the opposing political view must attend North South Ministerial Council meetings to allow them to proceed.
In February, the DUP warned that north-south relationships will be “impacted” as part of its political campaign to oppose the Northern Ireland Protocol, which governs post-Brexit trading arrangements on the Irish Sea.
The party also pledged to oppose all protocol-related measures in the Northern Ireland Assembly.
The two recent occasions when the DUP did not participate in north-south meetings were for engagements unrelated to Brexit and the Protocol.
Foster denied her party was “refusing” to attend meetings between the Northern Ireland Executive and the government of the Republic of Ireland.
“I spoke with the Taoiseach on Friday week ago by telephone,” she told MLAs.
She added: “Just to be clear, the Northern Ireland Protocol is not part of the North South Ministerial Council.
“As we have outlined some weeks ago, north-south relationships will of course be affected by the fact that the Protocol is in place because it has damaged east-west relationships and we need to sort it out.
“We need to get rid of the protocol so that we can continue to have relationships with our nearest neighbour in the appropriate way in the future so that the constitutional and economic position of Northern Ireland is something that every community can benefit from as opposed to the dreadful situation that we currently find ourselves in.”
Foster added: “I have made it clear at all times that I and colleagues will act in the interests of the people of Northern Ireland and in accordance with all of our ministerial responsibilities and indeed the pledge of office as we have indicated.”
McDonald was in Belfast for meetings with other Stormont Executive parties.
A meeting with the DUP did not happen but the Sinn Féin leader insisted it would take place in the near future.
“You can’t cherry pick the Good Friday Agreement,” she said.
“Political progress, stability and inclusion relies on all of the institutions of the Good Friday Agreement working and working well.
“The north-south piece is absolutely essential and that means that unionists of all hues have to participate in those meetings.
“I think it would obviously be hugely problematic if there was any suggestion that any strand of unionism was stepping back from that or causing a problem with the north-south mechanism.”
In terms of future north-south ministerial meetings, she added: “We fully expect that the DUP, that political unionism, will play its part and meet its obligations in respect of the Good Friday Agreement.
“You cannot opt out of parts of the Good Friday Agreement. We absolutely expect that the north-south meetings will happen.
“We expect that unionism will participate in those meetings. And I have to say anything short of that raises very serious questions, not just for the DUP, but for all of us. So I hope that they’ll clarify that position.”
Eastwood said it was “disappointing” that the DUP had not met his party today to discuss the issue.
“I think this in-and-out approach in terms of their engagement with political institutions is childish and it needs to stop,” he said.
He added: “There is no Good Friday Agreement if one of the strands (north-south engagement) is taken away.
“So it’s very important, it’s absolutely fundamental to the operation of these institutions.
“And we are absolutely insistent that all aspects of the Good Friday Agreement are properly and fully working.”
Eastwood continued: “This isn’t a moment for escalating things into a crisis situation, what we want is people to come together, to sit down and to work through the issues.”
Alliance MLA Andrew Muir added: “Decisions made last week to block north-south ministerial meetings taking place is regrettable.
“There’s a legal obligation to take part in north-south ministerial meetings.
“Really the solution to these things is more cooperation rather than less, and the politics of veto and blocking things is not what Northern Ireland needs at this time.”
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Was it a big hammer or a LIDL hammer.
Random acts of violence are becoming increasingly commonplace… society creaketh at the seams!
if he had waited until weekly special thursday he could have used a chainsaw, ski suit or telescopic bathroom and tile mop instead of that hammer!
Thousands of euros worth of damage, if it happened in Dunnes or Tescos it would have been tens of thousands of euros worth of damage!!
Hope it wasn’t a hammer he purchased there, astonishing shop this lidl, go in for A slice pan and leave with a wet suit :)
There are things in the world man was never meant to see and one of them was a young wan, skirt hiked up and trying on the bottom of a wet suit in Lidl. Thank God she had remembered to put her clean drawers on.
Too Funny :)
Hope it wasn’t one of those hammers he bought in the ALDI specials for €4:99.
It was his money. He just didn’t want to fill out the forms.
According to the Evening Echo he didn’t even steal anything.. just smashed the place up and waited around to get caught
Maybe he’s trying to break someone out of prison!
Think he’s making arrangements for his own abode over the Christmas.
Hammer time..
Every Lidl helps…
Was he hammered ?
No, Lidl was! I’ll get my coat…
No you can stay Mary, that was a good one, Tim walked straight into it he did…
Thanks, Mr Phil. ‘Twas irresistible, in fairness!
Mary… Do you know what Hammered means in Cork…;-)
0
Not to worry he’s out this morning in time to collect his welfare.
Why is age always important, but nationality isn’t?
Why is nationality important in this story to you?
He didn’t say it was.
Nationality is no more important than his age, yet every article mentions age. 0 articles mention nationality. Can anybody care to explain?
I’d like to know his shoe size.
What about eye colour? Why is that never ever mentioned???
Hat size would also be helpful.
Size matters.
Age is important. A teenager acts totally different to someone in their thirties or a pensioner. It says a lot about a person.
I presume the nationality is Irish if it doesn’t say but sometimes it can sound racist if they single out a nationality. (It’s not racist. Just stating a fact)
The poor guy obviously has a mental illness. Sad story really.
€2.27 worth of damage done.
Lidl now have about 10% of the Irish market – and is rising fast.
I find it extraordinary that the destruction of private or business property by someone clearly deranged would be a source of humour to so many. Are we really that far gone as a Society?
This miserable world is a little more bearable if you allow yourself to have a sense of humour sometimes.
Hugh. We are not s society anymore – just pissed off people living and moaning on a small island, unable to elect a government capable of doing their job.
Hugh need to lighten up.
Neal
If it takes the destruction of property to bring some joy into your world or life I would recommend you see a psychiatrist urgently!
Hugh, I am already accessing appropriate psychiatric services as needed but thanks for you concern.
He smashed up LIDL . It’s now just LDL
wot?
Irish Water carried the story on their website but they had to update it three times as they kept getting the damage estimates wrong. Currently, they’re reporting damage of €450,000,000 but they won’t know for sure until the survey is complete!!!!
Probably a Tesco worker!
The Irish indo puts the figure at 100.000 euros.
He was hammering down the prices!
It be nice if we were told which lidl it’s not like there’s only one in cork like
Ballincollig. B A L L I N C O L L I G , sez so in the article.
Ballincollig.
Sorry half blind today ha ha
It wasnt right to single out Lidl. He shoulda done M&S as well.
With those prices it practically stealing
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