01/05/2018

Irish Govt Accused Of 'Another Display Of Disrespect'

The Irish government have been accused of "another display of disrespect" following the news that Taoiseach Leo Varadkar is visiting various parts of Northern Ireland "outside of normal protocol".

Making the criticism, Lagan Valley DUP MP Jeffrey Donaldson, said: "Leo Varadkar's visit is another demonstration of the poor manners and disrespect which appears to be the Irish Government's Brexit strategy. Having told unionists just over a month ago that he recognised statements and actions by the Irish government were unhelpful or intrusive, he follows this up with a visit which no local representative is informed about and none of the other normal protocol is followed.

"It is increasingly apparent that the Irish government does not seem to care about securing a sensible and pragmatic outcome from Brexit which can work for both Northern Ireland and the Republic. Their preferred approach is to use Brexit in whatever way possible to undermine Northern Ireland and particularly its constitutional position."

Mr Donaldson said that while Mr Varadkar claims to want to find solutions to the issues affecting Northern Ireland in ongoing Brexit negotiations, "there is little demonstration of him working constructively to find them".

(MH/LM)

Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.

02 June 2010
Irish Activists To Be Released By Israelis
Six Irish activists currently being held by Israel are to be released as international pressure and public outrage mounts over the attack on the flotilla taking aid to Gaza. The Irish activists have been detained in an Israeli camp for the past two days are to be released and flown home either today or tomorrow.
08 March 2023
NI Industries 'Left Out' of Supercharger Scheme
The British Government has been urged to address the "unfairness" of industries in Northern Ireland being left out of their British Industry Supercharger scheme. The scheme is designed to ensure the energy costs for industries are in line with other major economies and puts measures in place to help provide jobs and investment.
18 December 2002
Sinn Fein confident of rise in Irish speakers
Speaking ahead of the publication of the 2001 Northern Ireland census, Sinn Féin West Tyrone MLA Barry McElduff has said that he expects the census to show a big rise in the use of the Irish language. The results from the long-anticipated population count are expected to be published tomorrow.
29 November 2018
Government 'Must Fund Extra Officers To Police Irish Border Post Brexit'
The UK Government must give police financial assurances that they will have the resources to patrol the Irish border in the event of a no-deal Brexit, the Police Federation for Northern Ireland (PFNI) has said.
02 May 2003
Adams attacks Irish justice minister
Sinn Fein President Gerry Adams has launched a scathing attack on Irish justice minister Michael McDowell claiming he wouldn't trust him "to go to the shop for a bottle of milk". Mr Adams made his remark after the Dail TD claimed the Irish Government's role within the current peace process was that of an honest broker.