Statement by TUV Castlereagh East councillor Andrew Girvin:
“Comments by Richard Haass at the Tipperrary Peace Award ceremony remind us once again that the document drawn up at the end of the talks last year is fundamentally anti-Unionist.
“When the Hass proposals were published TUV was the only party to warn that they advocated “a special and protected place” for Irishness in Northern Ireland and that a proposed Commission would consider the issue of not just flags but cultural emblems and the Irish language and identity.
“Now Haass has revealed where he sees his process ultimately going by calling for “a larger, official role for the Irish language”. Furthermore, he has revealed that while his proposals included no mention of a Troubles museum he is persuaded that it is “essential” – a transparent attempt to get the Maze shrine back on the agenda.
“Unionists claiming that there is merit in the Haass proposals and they are a basis for discussion need to waken up. It is obvious that Dr Haass came to Northern Ireland with an anti-Unionist, pro-Republican agenda.
“Those who continue with the process begun by Haass need to keep looking over their shoulder. The huge vote obtained by TUV is a reminder that a large and growing number of Unionists believe we have nothing left to give.”