Martin slams DUP for block on democracy
Assembly veto unsatisfactory says Taoiseach
TAOISEACH Micheal Martin has said it is “unsatisfactory” and disappointing that the DUP blocked the election of an Assembly speaker.
He added: “The people elected an Assembly, the Assembly should meet, and then the Assembly should form an executive.
“Yes there are issues that unionism has raised with us in respect of the Protocol, but those issues should not prevent the establishment and convening of the Assembly and the formation of the executive.”
Mr Martin said the European Union had been “very flexible” in relation to the Protocol, and have come up with solutions on issues like medicines being exported from Great Britain to Northern Ireland.
Speaking to reporters in Co Kildare at the unveiling of 29 homes in Sallins, Mr Martin said: “The evidence is growing that the Protocol is having a beneficial impact on the
Northern Ireland economy. I think there is a need now for pragmatism and common sense.”
DUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson refused to back a speaker of the Assembly when MLAS were sworn in at noon yesterday, which left the Assembly unable to function.
Sinn Fein’s Michelle O’neill said the DUP has “punished the electorate” by boycotting the election of a speaker of the Northern Ireland Assembly, and that “the public deserve better”. Speaking to reporters in the Great Hall after the Assembly was adjourned, Ms O’neill said the DUP’S action to boycott the election of an Assembly speaker “isn’t tolerable, it isn’t acceptable, it isn’t good enough”.
Ms O’neill also announced that Sinn Fein MLA for Upper Bann John O’dowd would be taking up the role of Infrastructure Minister in a caretaker capacity, after the former minister Nichola Mallon of the SDLP lost her seat in last week’s election.
Alliance Party leader Naomi Long added: “I am appalled that we could not even challenge the person who made this decision[(sir Jeffrey Donaldson] because having been returned as an MLA only a week ago, he has disappeared off to his safety net at Parliament.
“Despite this we’re ready to work for all who elected us.”