Statement by TUV South Down Assembly candidate Councillor Henry Reilly:
“I welcome the fact that Nigel Dodds has told the Irish Prime Minister to mind his own business when it comes to the EU referendum.
“He is, of course, correct. The Republic should be told where to go when it seeks to interfere in what is manifestly a matter for UK citizens and them alone.
“However, one cannot help wondering why Mr Dodds has an issue with Enda Kenny’s remarks given that his party have accepted the role of the Irish Government in every set of crisis talks since they went into government with Sinn Fein/IRA!
“Does this represent a welcome change of policy by the DUP? Are we to expect that the next time Stormont requires yet another “Fresh Start” or whatever the spin doctors choose to call it the Irish Foreign Minister will not be up here to co-chair the talks and announce the deal?
“TUV is clear. We reject any interference by Dublin in Northern Ireland be that on EU membership or anything else.
“Equally we aren’t waiting around to see what empty promises the Prime Minister comes back with. TUV will be campaigning hard for UK to leave the EU and liberate ourselves from Brussels.”