[https://www.newsletter.co.uk/news/politics/dup-slam-hollow-threats-on-joint-authority-as-uup-say-government-have-outlined-increased-dublin-role-4476228](https://www.newsletter.co.uk/news/politics/dup-slam-hollow-threats-on-joint-authority-as-uup-say-government-have-outlined-increased-dublin-role-4476228)

**Gavin Robinson has urged Sir Robert Buckland to focus on restoring Northern Ireland’s place in the UK market instead of making threats over Northern Ireland’s sovereignty – but Doug Beattie says an increased role for Dublin was outlined to him by the Secretary of State earlier this month.**

The NI Affairs Committee chair suggested that if Stormont isn’t restored – Dublin would have a role in the running of [**Northern Ireland**](https://archive.ph/o/We5BS/https://www.newsletter.co.uk/topic/northern-ireland) instead of the form of the direct rule seen in the past.

Gavin Robinson MP said “Sir Robert Buckland seems to be confused. It’s not often he is wrong, but on this he is.

“The Republic of Ireland has no legal basis for governing Northern Ireland. Such a step would be a further breach of the Belfast and successor agreements.

“It is the arrangements flowing from the NI Protocol alone that are stopping the formation of an Executive. We are focused on getting this right and restoring the balance. We will not be distracted by Sir Robert’s confused viewpoint.

“Rather than issue hollow threats about some version of Joint Authority, Sir Robert and his colleagues would be better to focus on restoring Northern Ireland’s place within the U.K. Internal Market.

Ulster Unionist leader [**Doug Beattie**](https://archive.ph/o/We5BS/https://www.newsletter.co.uk/topic/doug-beattie) has told the News Letter a role for Dublin was made clear to him by the Secretary of State last month.

Mr Beattie said: “Our position has always been clear. We do not support the Northern Ireland Protocol and the Windsor Framework is not the starting point we would have wished for. We did not support it, we did not negotiate it, we did not put Northern Ireland in this position.

“Yet we believe we should be back in government to make Northern Ireland work. That means maximising the opportunities of the framework while dealing with its many issues. No devolved government means that Ireland will have an increased say in what happens in Northern Ireland via the British-Irish Intergovernmental Conference.

“The increased consultative role of the Irish Republic on devolved issues, if we do not get Stormont up and running, was clearly outlined to me by the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when I met with him earlier this month.

“That will mean, if Sinn Fein forms the next government in Ireland, they will have a say in what happens in Northern Ireland while locally elected Unionist politicians do not. This is simply not acceptable and is a consequence of the present boycott.”

by Constant__18

12 comments

  1. The interesting bit

    ​

    >*Ulster Unionist leader* [***Doug Beattie***](https://archive.ph/o/We5BS/https://www.newsletter.co.uk/topic/doug-beattie) *has told the News Letter a role for Dublin was made clear to him by the Secretary of State last month.*
    *…*
    *“The increased consultative role of the Irish Republic on devolved issues, if we do not get Stormont up and running, was clearly outlined to me by the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when I met with him earlier this month.*

  2. Gavin Robinson is incorrect.

    While legally speaking laws can only be passed by Westminster or Stormont – so we would never see laws being passed in the Dail under any arrangement in keeping with the GFA – it’s made very clear that cooperation between the two countries on “matters of mutual interest” is part of the GFA.

    The British Irish council could theoretically become a defacto talk shop Parliament albeit with the laws passed in Westminster.

  3. Good, move to Joint Rule. The dupers demands are impossible to meet and simply exist so they don’t have an Irish Catholic first.

    I believe that under the St Andrew’s Agreement, Joint Rule is now the default unless primary legislation is implemented (which I can’t see the tories wanting to do). Has anything more recent overridden the below?

    *”As part of the St Andrews Agreement, which paved the way to restoring devolved government in 2007, it was agreed that the 2000 Act would be repealed. Therefore, to suspend devolution and impose direct rule again requires new primary legislation.”*

  5. Buckland can stick his threats up his hole. Beattie needs to catch himself on. And this ” joint authority ” myth is the biggest load of nonsense I’ve ever  heard. 

  6. I think this is an empty threat but it’s funny nonetheless.

    Labour genuinely might lay primary legislation, one day, that could achieve this if the government doesn’t come back up here – but I don’t think big U unionists are scared of the talking shop version of JA that is all the cons can threaten without primary legislation…

  7. Hi

    Thank you for your post on r/northernireland. After a quick review, we have decided to remove this post as it seems you mentioned Dublin, which is not in Northern Ireland.

    Thanks

    (Not) The Mod Team

  9. DUP bawling their eyes out after learning that their actions actually have consequences.

    I don’t have a violin small enough for them.

    Bunch of cunts.

  10. I’m of the opinion now that joint authority is the way forward in the short to medium term. The Republic of Ireland should appoint a “minister for Northern Ireland” on par with the British secretary for Northern Ireland with decisions made on a joint basis. It’s clear to see that devolved government isn’t working anymore, if it ever did, so a change is needed and I don’t think Northern Ireland is ready to vote for a united Ireland yet. If Sinn Féin get into government in the south it won’t be without a coalition partner so that ministerial position can be from the partner.

    It would drive the DUP baloobas which is just an added bonus really as they have put norther Ireland in this position.

  11. Is there anything to be said for having a government?

  12. >We did not support it, we did not negotiate it, we did not put Northern Ireland in this position.

    It’s always so strange to me to see unionists saying things like this then in the same breath saying being part of the UK is the best place for NI to be represented.

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