Politics

Arlene Foster: Micheál Martin’s ‘stranglehold’ remark is ‘offensive’

First Minister says FF leader should focus on ‘forming a government in his own country’

Arlene Foster: Responded to Martin’s claim that the DUP and Sinn Féin had a damaging stranglehold on Stormont. Photograph: Niall Carson/PA Wire
Rodney Edwards
Tue Apr 19 2016 - 01:00

Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin’s criticism of Stormont has been branded “offensive” by the North’s First Minister, Arlene Foster.

Mr Martin criticised the power-sharing administration, in particular the Democratic Unionist Party and Sinn Féin, for causing “immense damage” to the post-peace process institutions.

“We need direct engagement by both the Irish and British governments to end the stranglehold in Stormont by two parties,” Mr Martin told his party’s annual Easter Rising commemoration on Sunday. “This is doing immense damage to public support for the institutions and public engagement in politics.”

In response, Mrs Foster said yesterday: “If it wasn’t so offensive it would probably be quite funny.

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“Here is a man who is part of a political jurisdiction that 53 days after a general election can’t form a government, yet he spends his time making comments about a different country.

“He really should concentrate on forming a government in his own country.”

Sinn Féin’s Conor Murphy said Mr Martin “has squandered any credibility” by making the remarks.