Tanaist Michael Martin (left) and Northern Ireland Secretary Chris Heaton-Harris at a three-day international conference at Queen's University Belfast to mark the 25th anniversary of the Accord Good Friday. Photo: Niall Carson
The Stormont boycott threatens Northern Ireland's place in the UK more than Rishi Sunak's Brexit deal, Chris Heaton-Harris told DUP, urging them to «put the Union first» and return to power-sharing.
«Real leaders know when to say yes,» said the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, urging the DOJ to accept the Windsor Framework and return to a devolved government established under the Good Friday Agreement.
Mr Heaton-Harris praised union leaders David Trimble and David Erwin for leading «not just their own parties, but unions and loyalties, saying yes to peace» during the negotiations for the Good Friday Agreement 25 years ago.
«Real leadership is knowing when to say yes and having the courage to do it,» he said at an event at Queen's University Belfast.
"Let no one tell you that the division of power is in no way contrary to the trade union movement. On the contrary, it is the surest way to secure Northern Ireland's place in the Union,” said Mr Heaton-Harris.
The DUP has boycotted Stormont for the past 14 months over post-Brexit trade rules in the region despite new agreement between Rishi Sunak and Brussels.
This new Brexit deal, signed in February, never came to fruition but was accepted by the DUP, which fears that Northern Ireland's place in the UK is under threat from the Irish Sea border.
The lack of a devolved government has made Northern Ireland politicians powerless to respond to issues such as the cost of living crisis in the UK's poorest region and the UK's longest waiting time for the NHS.
'Put the Union first and get to work'
Mr Heaton-Harris said: «People in Northern Ireland are rightfully demanding better and faster public services, more economic prosperity and a brighter future for their children.»
«Northern Ireland's biggest threat» #39 ;his place in the union is not in line with these priorities.»
He added: «I make no apologies for being proud of Northern Ireland's place in the Union and wanting it to be maintained.
“Others who share this view must put the Union first, restore the delegated institutions and get to work for the people of Northern Ireland.”
'I'm not here to bow down to presidents and premiers
DUP MLA ministers Emma Little-Pangelly said the Good Friday deal was undermined by the Brexit deal.
She said the peace agreement ensured that Northern Ireland would remain part of the UK until a reunification referendum was held, which allowed power sharing for the first time. and Windsor Framework have violated this guarantee by imposing border controls with the UK and an area that continues to be subject to EU law.
“These complaints. They exist. They are real, they are real. If they had been heeded two years ago, the institutions would not have collapsed,” she said.
“If the promises made to unions in Northern Ireland had been kept, the institutions would not have collapsed.”
“Reality is sometimes as harsh as it can be, it is right to say no, it is not fair,” said Ms. Little-Pangelly.
“If we enter the Assembly without laying the groundwork and deciding these problems, then crash will happen again. ”
“We can only get him back if we do everything right,” she added. “I'm not here to bow to presidents and prime ministers. I'm here to speak on behalf of the people and their sincere concerns.»
Former U.S. President Bill Clinton (left) meets Northern Ireland Secretary of State Chris Heaton-Harris at a banquet at Belfast City Hall Photo: Niall Carson
Sir Geoffrey Donaldson, leader of the YUP, who faces a tough local election next month, said he it was a «useful exchange of views.» with former President Bill Clinton on Monday, but declined a quick return to Stormont.
Mr Heaton-Harris also addressed US concerns about the lack of cooperation between Dublin and London to break the impasse in Stormont, voiced by Joe Biden in a speech to the Irish Parliament last Thursday.
“Cooperation between the UK and The Government of Ireland is vital to protecting and upholding the agreement and I am determined in my capacity as Secretary of State to deepen and strengthen this vital relationship,” said Mr. Heaton-Harris.
Michael Martin, Deputy Prime Minister of Ireland, also called for the DUP to return to power-sharing a day after similar calls. Tony Blair and Hillary Clinton, and a week after Mr. Biden mentioned the prospect of billions in US investments if they did.
Mr. Martin, a former Taoiseach, acknowledged that the relationship between London and Dublin were strained because of Brexit. , which for the first time created the UK's land border with the EU.
«It's no secret that in recent years our two governments have not always acted in concert,» he said.
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“But I'm happy to report that our partnership is clearly better now than it has been for quite some time. Of course, like everything else of value, it requires constant care, commitment and investment.”
Mary Lou Macdonald, leader of Sinn Féin, said: “We need government to work and work, which means , we need a decision from all political leaders that we will work together again, we will share power.”
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