Allister rejects Sinn Fein call for all-Ireland negotiations with EU
09 August 2006
STATEMENT BY DUP MEP JIM ALLISTER
“Today’s call by Sinn Fein for All-Ireland negotiations with the EU is a phoney political stunt. Constitutionally, the EU operates on the basis of 25 nation states, with the regions of each properly represented through their national governments, in accordance with their chosen constitutional allegiance. Thus, Northern Ireland legally and in accordance with the principle of consent – which, clearly Sinn Fein has not accepted, despite its supposed acceptance in the Belfast Agreement – is represented in the EU by the UK Government. To have it otherwise would fundamentally undermine Northern Ireland’s position as an integral part of the UK. Hence, of course, Sinn Fein’s proposal, which is but another aspect of its All-Ireland agenda.
As a Unionist and the first choice of the people of Northern Ireland in the European Parliament, I make it very plain that there is no room for impinging on our constitutional status by contemplating All-Ireland negotiations with Europe, be it on agriculture, fisheries or anything else. Tempted as Sinn Hain might be to peddle his own All-Ireland agenda by embracing this latest Sinn Fein demand, I caution him to be constrained by the constitutional imperatives which such an approach would defy.
The fact that Sinn Fein demands that Northern Ireland’s interests in Europe be allied to those of a state different from that to which the local population wish to belong, is indicative not just of their non-acceptance of the principle of consent, but, also, of the invidious situation which would arise if they held governmental office in a part of the UK while dedicated to dismantling the UK. Little wonder the DUP has insisted that in any devolution arrangement the Assembly must be given paramount control and unaccountable freedom of executive action removed from individual ministers.”
