DUP Will Continue To 'Promote The Benefits Of The Union'

The DUP will "continue to promote the benefits of the Union", Lagan Valley MP Jeffery Donaldson has said.

Mr Donaldson was speaking about comments made by DUP Leader Arlene Foster during a programme with Patrick Kielty, 'My Dad, The Peace Process and Me'.

During the programme, Mrs Foster said that she would consider leaving Northern Ireland in the wake of United Ireland.

Mr Donaldson said: "As Arlene Foster pointed out in the Patrick Kielty programme, 'a United-Ireland is not going to happen'.

"It was a hypothetical question as there is no realistic prospect of a United-Ireland. Mrs Foster was reflecting how the Protestant population dwindled in the Republic of Ireland after partition. Those with a British identity did not feel welcome.

"Sinn Féin spins to unionists that they would be welcome in a united-Ireland yet when unionists look at how SF controlled Councils treat unionists currently within Northern Ireland there is a very different reality. SF blocks armed forces recruitment days, wouldn't present awards to teenagers in the cadet forces, won't allow the Union Flag to fly a few days per year, relegate English to a second language, celebrate PIRA murderers, mock PIRA victims, snub the Royal Family and ban the sale of poppies. The list goes on. Sinn Fein’s actions speak louder than their words.

"Whilst not broadcast on the programme, Arlene rightly pointed to the strong arguments for the Union whether the economy or our fantastic and invaluable National Health Service.

"Over the coming months, the DUP leadership will travel to every corner of Northern Ireland and the rest of the United Kingdom promoting the benefits of the Union.

"It is always useful to debate and refresh the minds of the next generation as to why Northern Ireland’s place within the Union is so important whether from an historical, cultural, economic, social or security point of view."

(MH/LM)