The DUP has accused Sinn Fein of riding two horses after its ministers boycotted the launch of a £50m funding package for the defence industry – but the economy minister sent senior officials.
Yesterday, the government launched a scheme to boost defence supply chains in Northern Ireland – but the DUP deputy First Minister was the only Executive member in attendance.
First Minister Michelle O’Neill said she was absent as she does not support the “militarisation agenda” – while the SF economy minister attended another event. Despite her party calling the funding a “callous and immoral political choice to supercharge the building of weapons of war” – Caoimhe Archibald sent senior officials to the event, and Invest NI also attended.
The DUP’s Phillip Brett said the investment will help sustain around 9,000 jobs, branding the minister’s absence “disgraceful”.
“On one hand, SF is playing to a left-wing gallery with rhetoric around restricting defence-related investment and advancing an ‘ethical investment framework’. On the other, her Department, including Invest NI, is represented at the very same announcement.
“This looks like a SF attempt to ride two horses at once”, the economy committee chair said.
The government said the cash will support hundreds of well-paid jobs, “making defence an engine for growth” in the Northern Ireland economy.
DUP leader Gavin Robinson said Sinn Fein should be “championing investment” but had instead chosen “ideological grandstanding”.
TUV leader Jim Allister said it was “predictable” that the Sinn Fein ministers had chosen to boycott the event, saying it was part of the party’s “narrow anti-British agenda”.
Defence minister Luke Pollard and Northern Ireland Office minister Matthew Patrick were in Belfast yesterday to meet representatives from local industry.
The government said the Defence Growth Deal will “create a targeted programme to help small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and start-ups in Northern Ireland by making it easier for them to enter the defence supply chain”.
Alongside the £50 million investment, the government said it will also provide additional funding for a skills initiative in Northern Ireland.
The DUP leader welcomed the announcement, saying it is a major vote of confidence in local industry and a significant boost for jobs, skills and investment.
Mr Robinson said: “This £50 million investment is a hugely significant boost for Northern Ireland and a major vote of confidence in the skills, innovation and manufacturing expertise we have to offer. Out of a £250 million UK-wide fund, Northern Ireland has secured one of only five growth deals, representing a substantial share of the total package.
“For too long, Northern Ireland did not receive its fair share of Ministry of Defence spending, and the DUP has consistently highlighted that disparity. Knowing these growth deals were being developed, I, alongside DUP colleagues, worked directly with government to make the case that Northern Ireland deserved its place at the table. Today that effort has delivered real results.
“This funding will support local businesses, strengthen supply chains, create highly skilled jobs and open new opportunities for young people leaving our universities and colleges. Northern Ireland already has over 9,000 people employed in this sector and generated around £2.2 billion of business last year. This investment can help grow that success even further.
“It is puerile of Sinn Fein to continue to oppose opportunities that support workers and families here. The first minister and economy minister ought to be championing investment in Northern Ireland to create opportunities for local people and local business, but instead they choose ideological grandstanding.
“The DUP will continue backing jobs, industry and investment. This package is about economic growth, innovation and ensuring Northern Ireland gets the support it deserves,” he said.
Mr Allister welcomed the “significant investment”, saying that “any credible inward investment that strengthens our industrial base and creates employment must be supported”.
The North Antrim MP said it “demonstrates the benefits of being part of the UK and contributing to the wider defence industry across our nation. Northern Ireland has already been at the forefront of producing weapons which have been deployed in the fight for freedom in Ukraine”.
He said: “Today is a reminder that whatever the spin the reality of Sinn Fein’s narrow anti-British agenda always comes through whenever one bothers to scratch the surface.”
A DfE spokesperson said: “The minister wants to see investment which supports her four priorities of good jobs, improving productivity, decarbonisation, and promoting regional balance. The minister spent this morning speaking at a NI Chamber conference, followed by a meeting with Wrightbus. Senior officials from DfE and from Invest NI attended the launch of the Defence Growth Deal.”
The First Minister told the Press Association: “I chose not to be there because I don’t agree with this as a policy choice.
“Obviously, this is a decision that’s been taken in London… a very clear political decision to prioritise a militarisation agenda, weapons of war over people is how I feel about it.”
Michelle O’Neill said she wanted to create jobs and opportunities for people in the local economy.
She added: “But this is a very distinct policy difference that I have with decisions being taken in London.
“I would much prefer, if I had £50 million, to be spending it in other areas that are really, really crying out for support right now, whether that be people through the cost-of-living crisis or our health service or education or child care”.
