Commenting on today’s visit to Dublin by the Assembly and Executive Review Committee TUV Chairman Ivor McConnell said:

“Yesterday, I understand, the DUP had an “away day” to analyze the reasons for the collapse in the DUP vote. Today the Committee on which Jimmy Spratt, Nelson McCaulsand, Simon Hamilton and Ian Paisley Jur serves is on an “away day” too. It’s off to Dublin to discuss the devolution of policing and justice.

“While there they will meet with Dublin’s Minister for Foreign Affairs and Justice Minister, the Garda Commissioner and the Oireachtas Justice Committee among others.

“So much for devolution putting an end to Dublin interference!

“As soon as policing and justice is devolved, it becomes subject to the Belfast Agreement’s north/south collaboration and process. Today’s visit is a timely reminder of that fact.

“And remember what Martina Anderson said in the debate on the full-time Reserve on Tuesday:

Throughout the conflict, the full-time Reserve has been little more than a unionist militia; it has been to the forefront of attacks on the nationalist community.

"Yet today members of her party are traveling to Dublin – with their DUP colleagues – to discuss the devolution of policing and justice to the Stormont Executive! The fact that such could take place tells me that the DUP have learned nothing from the collapse in their vote. Having entangled themselves in the tentacles of the Belfast Agreement they find it impossible to withdraw from it.”