DUP: Unionists wants to ensure Washington knows what Sinn Fein's real agenda is

Reacting to the Sinn Fein mission in the United States capital, David Brooks, who is the DUP spokesman for US outreach, said that the republican party has zero respect for unionists and is only focused on a border poll.

He said that unionists could not afford to “take a back seat” in Washington and needed to make their voices heard to achieve a “rebalancing”.

Mr Brooks said: “We continue to have regular engagement with key influencers in the United States on all sides of Capitol Hill. For too long unionists took a back seat in Washington but we have sought to get a rebalancing and ensure Washington realises that unionists want fairness and what Sinn Fein’s real agenda is.

"We have already told the UK Government that whilst progress has been made, we require further work on a range of issues. We will continue with that engagement to ensure that we get an outcome that works for unionists as well as nationalists because progress can only be made which there is a buy in from all sides.

“We want to see a return to the delicate political balance within Northern Ireland where the views of unionists are valued and respected. As Northern Ireland’s largest unionist party we have the ultimate responsibility of ensuring we get the right outcome that respects Northern Ireland’s place in the Union for the long-term.”

The East Belfast MLA added: "Michelle O’Neill speaks about focusing on health but fails to point out that she was the health minister in 2017 who walked away from her desk for three years over the Irish language.

“Sinn Fein cares nothing about unionists and is only focused on a border poll.

"Northern Ireland will struggle to move forward if Republicans have so little respect for their unionist neighbours that they can’t see the problem with the current Protocol arrangements. We would never have expected nor asked our nationalist neighbours to accept the kind of infrastructure north-south that we are being asked to accept east-west.”

Ahead of her US visit, Mrs O’Neill said: “I am travelling to Washington this week to meet with senior US officials and politicians on Capitol Hill to update them on the current situation in the north following the outcome of the recent historic council elections.

“The public have now spoken in two elections over the last year.

“They have sent a clear signal they want parties working together around the Executive table delivering for all. They want the Good Friday Agreement implemented.

“They want an Executive investing in health and public services, supporting workers, families and businesses through the cost of living crisis and maximising the economic opportunities of our unique access to two of the largest markets in the world.

“The continuing refusal by one party to form an Executive is hampering progress. It is resulting in public services being left at the mercy of savage and heartless Tory cuts from London and those who work in them being denied fair pay rises.

“The British government’s response to this boycott of our political institutions is lax, complacent and irresponsible. There is no sense of urgency. It has stalled the operation of the Good Friday Agreement and is leading to political drift. That must stop.”

Mrs O’Neill, whose party boycotted Stormont for 1,098 days – more than 600 days longer than the current DUP boycott, went on: “The United States has been a key partner for peace in Ireland for decades, and steadfast supporters of the Good Friday Agreement and I value that continued commitment.

“We will be urging the US Administration to impress on the British Prime Minister during his visit to Washington this week to start working with their partners in the Irish government to prioritise restoration and the full implementation of the Agreements without any more delay. There is an onus on the two governments to realise the promise and potential of the Good Friday Agreement and its institutions.

“The negotiation between London and Brussels on the protocol is done. The elections are over. The public have sent a clear signal. And it’s now time for government to be formed and to seize the enormous economic opportunities now open to us which was highlighted by President Biden during his historic visit to Ireland.

“Sinn Féin is ready to start that work today. I will once again set out my absolute determination to be a First Minister for All, and to co-operate and work with the other parties to support workers and families. It is what people want and deserve.

“The British government by its inaction cannot give the DUP a veto over the operation of the Good Friday Agreement. The governments must act in partnership to realise the opportunities for progress, prosperity and reconciliation. There can simply be no more delays.”