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16/04/2021
SDLP Slams Foster Over Failure To Fulfill Ministerial Requirement
An SDLP Minister has hit out after the DUP leader Arlene Foster failed to fulfill her Ministerial requirement by nominating a Unionist Minister to attend an NSMC Transport meeting.
The party's Infrastructure Minister Nichola Mallon resisted the DUP move to undermine the Good Friday Agreement by obstructing the north south institutions.
The failure obstructed the important meeting she was due to have with Irish Government Minister Eamon Ryan from going ahead.
She said: "Today the DUP have once again blocked the proceeding of an important North South Ministerial Meeting. Irish Government Minister Eamon Ryan and I, were waiting to join our meeting, which was blocked from proceeding because no accompanying unionist Minister would make themselves available. This meeting was to take important decisions on all island transport projects that impact on the lives of citizens across Northern Ireland and the rest of the island.
"The DUP's obstruction is a deliberate act to undermine the Good Friday Agreement. Their tactic of disruption and delay isn’t going to work.
"The Good Friday Agreement must be upheld in all its parts, British, Irish and North-South institutions. It is a big mistake for the DUP to seek to disrupt that. Another strategic error by a party panicked by it’s own internal disputes.
"The SDLP will not stand for this, we are now arranging urgent formal engagements with political parties and with the British and Irish Government. The days of the DUP showing disrespect and getting away with it are over. The SDLP won't be obstructed from doing our jobs for citizens here by anyone and certainly not by Arlene Foster."
The party's Infrastructure Minister Nichola Mallon resisted the DUP move to undermine the Good Friday Agreement by obstructing the north south institutions.
The failure obstructed the important meeting she was due to have with Irish Government Minister Eamon Ryan from going ahead.
She said: "Today the DUP have once again blocked the proceeding of an important North South Ministerial Meeting. Irish Government Minister Eamon Ryan and I, were waiting to join our meeting, which was blocked from proceeding because no accompanying unionist Minister would make themselves available. This meeting was to take important decisions on all island transport projects that impact on the lives of citizens across Northern Ireland and the rest of the island.
"The DUP's obstruction is a deliberate act to undermine the Good Friday Agreement. Their tactic of disruption and delay isn’t going to work.
"The Good Friday Agreement must be upheld in all its parts, British, Irish and North-South institutions. It is a big mistake for the DUP to seek to disrupt that. Another strategic error by a party panicked by it’s own internal disputes.
"The SDLP will not stand for this, we are now arranging urgent formal engagements with political parties and with the British and Irish Government. The days of the DUP showing disrespect and getting away with it are over. The SDLP won't be obstructed from doing our jobs for citizens here by anyone and certainly not by Arlene Foster."
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:The day will be very windy with strong to gale force westerly winds becoming occasionally severe along the north coast. Sunny spells will be interspersed with scattered showers. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:West to northwest gale force winds, severe along the north coast, will continue overnight. Frequent showers persist, merging into longer periods of rain at times and turning wintry. Minimum temperature 1 °C.
