Mallon hits out at ‘little Irelander’ tag in bridge row
NORTHERN Ireland’s Infrastructure minister has denied behaving like a “little Irelander” in opposing a bridge to Scotland.
Nichola Mallon rejected the claim levelled by TUV leader Jim Allister as he criticised her response to the UK Government’s plans to enhance transport links across the UK.
Ms Mallon’s party colleague Mark H Durkan demanded an apology from Mr Allister, describing his remarks as “insulting and inflammatory”.
The exchanges unfolded as Ms Mallon faced Assembly questions on the Government’s Connectivity Review, which has instigated a study on the feasibility of a tunnel or bridge linking Northern Ireland and Scotland.
The review’s interim report also recommended a series of other infrastructure schemes that would potentially benefit Northern Ireland.
Ms Mallon has criticised the exercise, characterising it as the Government interfering in devolved matters.
She told the Assembly: “I believe that a fixed link between Scotland and Northern Ireland, whether a bridge or tunnel, is a vanity project.
She added: “I do not think a single member here would agree that it would be in the interest of any citizens here to prioritise what appears to be a multi-billion pound bridge or tunnel when we can see that our own transport and water infrastructure networks are crumbling before our eyes, with previous funding commitments made by the Prime Minister still not honoured.”
Mr Allister heavily criticised her remarks.
“I have to suggest to the minister that she let herself down and the people of Northern Ireland by the pejorative, contemptuous and ill-considered response that she made before the ink was dry on the interim report,” he said.
“I do suggest to the minister it’s time she took off her nationalist blinkers and was something more than a little Irelander.”
Ms Mallon insisted it was not a unionist or nationalist issue. She said: “This is as much about using Northern Ireland in an electoral game with the SNP that Boris Johnson is obsessed with more than anything else. One thing we know right across this house is that we cannot trust Boris Johnson.”