Allister comments on Robinson's Dublin speech
04 October 2007
Statement by Jim Allister MEP:
“Last month I issued a statement commenting on how Michelle Gildernew was manipulating the agriculture portfolio to suite Republicans’ united Ireland agenda. I wouldn’t expect anything else from a member of Sinn Fein/IRA. But I must say that I was surprised this morning to see Peter Robinson’s department issue a press release headed “North-South Co-Operation Essential for Global Success”!
North-south economic co-operation has its place, but it is not the highway to economic heaven. Seeing our economy and infrastructure through all-island spectacles, rather than as an intrinsic part of the much larger and inherently more stable UK economy, would be a mistake. I regret therefore the absence of the essential east-west dynamic and trajectory from Mr Robinson’s Dublin speech this morning. The Republic is tied into the eurozone, with its interest rates set by the European Central Bank, we are not, nor should we be. The agenda for a “united Ireland” is predicated on economic fusion. Unionists should not play this game.”
