Desperate DUP attacks a distraction – Richmond

Personalised attacks on Minister for Foreign Affairs, Simon Coveney, have been labelled as desperate and an attempt at distraction, by a Fine Gael TD.

Neale Richmond, the party’s spokesperson on European Affairs, was responding to comments by DUP Leader Jeffrey Donaldson.

Deputy Richmond said, “This week the DUP ordered a breach of international law and tore down a functioning Government in Northern Ireland. The work to repair this situation is the sole focus now and we will not be distracted by these desperate attempts at distraction.

“Throughout his time as Minister, Simon Coveney has been open and engaging with all strands of political and civic Unionism. Such claims now from the architect of a DUP boycott of North/South bodies are ridiculous and do absolutely nothing for the pursuit of political stability for the people of Northern Ireland.

“We have seen in the past how such nasty personal attacks on Minister Coveney and others have unfortunately encouraged those on the extremes to engage in unsavoury incidents of abuse. Perhaps the DUP leader should bear this in mind and be more considered in his approach.  Stakeholders on all sides should be focused on calming tensions now, rather than inflaming the situation.

“Our channels of communications with all parties in the north remain open, as they have consistently been.

“The focus of the Irish Government and Minister Coveney is now, as it has always been, to work with all political parties and the British Government to support political stability in Northern Ireland, and the effective operation and important work of all of the institutions of the Good Friday Agreement.”