Statement by TUV leader, Jim Allister MP:-
“The current European security crisis brings into focus the sponger status of the Republic of Ireland when it comes to defence.
“Clinging to neutrality, with derisory spend on defence, the Republic has lived off others paying, in men and money, for the defence of Europe.
“The Republic can’t hide in the shadows of neutrality if it wants to be seen on the side of Europe in withstanding Putin.
“Of course, in Northern Ireland we see a reflection of this anti-West stance in the First Minister’s condemnation of the job-creating military hardware order to Thales.”