Commenting on remarks by Fianna Fail leader Micheal Martin TUV South Antrim Westminster candidate Richard Carins said:
“Micheal Martin’s comments at the weekend about Sinn Fein reveal the double standards which Dublin parties apply when it comes to Sinn Fein. While he says Sinn Fein “remains unfit” for government in the Republic he is quite happy for the people of Northern Ireland to be lumbered with a party which continues to justify the use of terrorism to further their political objectives.
“The remarks should, however, give all Unionists cause to pause and think. If Fianna Fail won’t accept them as partners in Dublin why do the DUP and UUP accept them in Belfast?
“The sectarian murder campaign of Sinn Fein/IRA was almost exclusively in Northern Ireland. It was in Northern Ireland that the IRA most frequently acted as judge, jury and executioner. It was in Northern Ireland that the IRA abducted a mother of ten before murdering her and secretly burying her.
“Mr Martin’s comments are a reminder of just how far the DUP and UUP have moved to accommodate Sinn Fein/IRA.
“In a few weeks’ time TUV will offer the people of Northern Ireland the opportunity to vote for a party which continues to reject Sinn Fein as fit governmental partners and which believes that the people of this Province should have the same basic democratic rights which Dublin takes for granted – the right to vote a party out of government and the right to have an opposition.”