PRESS RELEASE : Varadkar’s hard border comments challenged [October 2022]

The press release issued by the DUP on 6 October 2022.

DUP East Londonderry MP Gregory Campbell has challenged the Republic of Ireland’s Tánaiste Leo Varadkar after he said “there is no hard border between north and south”.

Mr Campbell said,

“He should apologise for distributing news stories from the 30 years ago and ever suggesting there would be soldiers on border checkpoints. No one was ever suggesting that. Even if someone wanted to build a “hard” border it would be physically impossible but of course the border which does exist between Northern Ireland and the Republic is one that does not disadvantage people here.

The Republic has a different corporation tax rate, a different fuel duty rate, a different income tax rate, a different education system and a different currency. Those living in RoI pay for their medical treatment whereas in Northern Ireland we have a National Health Service which is free at the point of need.”

Noting the change in language Mr Campbell said,

“Two years ago Dublin was saying we needed the Protocol “rigorously implemented” and there could be no changes, it is a pity they hadn’t recognised the concerns of unionists two years and more progress could have been made back then, we need to see action not just warm words”