Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
FOSTER’S IN A FLAP
DUP chief blasts Irish unity remarks
ARLENE Foster has accused a senior Irish cabinet member of “aggressive” behaviour regarding Northern Ireland.
The Democratic Unionist leader’s remarks about Foreign Minister Simon Coveney, and specifically his comments voicing support for Irish unity, came as she again heavily criticised the Dublin administration’s stance on Brexit.
Relations between the DUP and Dublin have deteriorated markedly since Taoiseach Leo Varadkar came into office in the summer.
A major bone of contention for the DUP is the Republic’s insistence that Northern Ireland should continue to comply with an EU customs framework when the rest of the UK exits the single market and customs union.
Mrs Foster insists that Northern Ireland must be treated the same as the rest of the UK, a message she made clear in her party conference speech in Belfast on Saturday.
In an interview with RTE, she reiterated her “regret” at Dublin’s position but directed specific criticism at Mr Coveney. Ms Foster said: “Why did Simon use this moment in time to talk about his aspiration for a united Ireland in his political lifetime?
“I think that’s quite aggressive.” Addressing Bexit talks, she added: “Some of the rhetoric coming from Dublin recently has been of a nature that actually could bring about self-harm to the Republic.”