DUP Dismiss Calls For Intergovernmental Conference

The DUP have dismissed Sinn Féin calls for a British-Irish Intergovernmental Conference, describing it has a "smokescreen to distract from the fact that Sinn Fein stands isolated in blocking a devolved government".

DUP East Antrim MLA, Gordon Lyons, said: "Northern Ireland has been without Executive Ministers for 17 months. This has had a profound effect on our public services and the people who rely upon them. With no Ministers in place, Ministerial decision-making has been left in limbo. Sinn Fein have set their face against delivery for our people and are instead insisting that their narrow political demands take precedence.

"As a result of Sinn Fein blocking devolved government, there is no Health Minister in place to sign off on compensation for the patients of Dr Michael Watt. There is no Education Minister in place to enact vital reforms to help pupils, teachers and parents. There is no Economy Minister in place to press ahead with the rollout of ultra-fast broadband secured by the DUP at Westminster. Major decisions about infrastructure are being delayed because of no Minister being in place.

"A British-Irish Intergovernmental Conference has zero ability to make any decisions about any of these matters. Michelle O'Neill is taking people for fools if she thinks they will be convinced with such distraction tactics. People don't want more talking they want decisions made about their public services. A British-Irish Intergovernmental Conference is a talking shop not a decision-making body about roads, schools or hospitals."

(MH/LM)