Ulster Unionist peer and former Economy Minister Lord Empey has hit back at First Minister Michelle O'Neill's reaction to the UK Government's £50 million defence investment package for Northern Ireland, accusing Sinn Féin of rank hypocrisy on the issue of arms and economic development.

Lord Empey said:

“As a former economy minister, I have become increasingly shocked at the cavalier attitude of Sinn Féin to actual or potential inward investment. The Cantor Fitzgerald fiasco was totally avoidable, and good quality jobs were sacrificed on the altar of some irrelevant political ideology. The response of the First Minister to the announcement from London of £50m towards strengthening and developing the defence sector in Northern Ireland was typical of the hypocrisy Sinn Féin is displaying.  

“Michelle O’Neill says she would rather the money was spent on something else. What had she in mind? I would remind her that her party had no difficulty in supporting and justifying the actions of the IRA, who trawled the world looking for arms and explosives that they used to kill and maim their fellow Irishmen and Irish women.

“It is also the case that their actions in Londonderry drove the US company Raytheon out of the City with the loss of many highly paid jobs.  

“Nobody wants to see weapons deployed and people killed as a result. But the only way peace and stability can be maintained in this turbulent world is to deter the many tyrants who control some of the most powerful militaries that can threaten democracies.  

“Currently, Ireland is a laggard in Europe, expecting other European countries and the United Kingdom to defend its sea and airspace while making no meaningful contribution itself.  

 “I think the time has come to call out Sinn Féin’s dangerous approach to the running of our economy. Their record with regard to weapons and their use leaves them in no position to point the finger at others and adopt a holier than thou attitude.”