Dublin should have no role any discussions about Stormont reform, Jon Burrows to tell NI Secretary Hilary Benn
Jon Burrows has said his party will tell the government it is opposed to a role for Dublin in any future discussions about how Northern Ireland’s political institutions operate.
The Ulster Unionist Party leader made the comments ahead of his first meeting with the Secretary of State since taking over the role from Mike Nesbitt in January.
He has also said he plans to visit the United States for St Patrick’s Day alongside the UUP health minister, where he says the pair will “promote Northern Ireland’s interests”.
Mr Burrows and deputy leader Diana Armstrong will meet Hilary Benn on Wednesday afternoon in Belfast, and will address calls to reform how Stormont operates. It comes after growing calls from nationalists and Alliance to look again at the political structures, with the aim of providing better government.
However, unionists have accused them of seeking to undermine cross-community protections enshrined in the 1998 Belfast agreement by changing the rules after unionism lost its Stormont majority.
“We need to ensure that Stormont is functioning properly and effectively. Any discussions on reform must be fully in line with Strand One of the Belfast/Good Friday Agreement, and there can be no role for the Irish Government in matters relating to the internal reform of Northern Ireland’s institutions”, the UUP leader said.
He added: “I am keen to discuss a number of key issues affecting Northern Ireland, including the ongoing challenges posed by the Windsor Framework, the Government’s Legacy Bill, and the looming funding cliff edge facing the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.
“If the Secretary of State does not urgently address this, thousands of jobs could be lost and vital services placed at risk”.
“I will be travelling to the United States for St Patrick’s Day in the interests of Northern Ireland and pragmatic Unionism. Northern Ireland must take every opportunity to secure the very best outcomes for our people. We share a great deal with our American friends, not least through our economic ties, shared history and cultural links, and we must continue to actively promote Northern Ireland’s interests on the international stage”.