Statement by TUV leader Jim Allister:
“Though there is hypocrisy in the Fianna Fáil stance – as they still think we in Northern Ireland should be compelled to have Sinn Fein in government – the decision of Fianna Fáil to categorically rule out Sinn Fein as a coalition partner in Dublin should give all Unionists cause to think about the wisdom of sharing power with the party in Northern Ireland.
“Mrs Foster would do well to heed the advice of Shane Cassells TD who told delegates, “you don’t deal with the serpent by inviting it into your bed”.
“That’s sound advice for parties south of the border and all the more so for Unionist parties in Northern Ireland.
“With no interest in seeing Northern Ireland exist much less prosper Sinn Fein will always be the serpent in any administration formed in Stormont. Having brought it down once they will do so again if they believe it will advance their destructive objectives.”