DUP Leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson has called on Sinn Fein to get on with making Northern Ireland work rather than attempting to deny its existence.
Sir Jeffrey said.
"When we look back on the decade of centenaries there is much to be positive about in terms of greater understanding and reconciliation. The one event which stands out across the decade however is the centenary of Northern Ireland which has been marked by hostility from some rather than engagement.
No one ever expected nationalist parties to celebrate the centenary of Northern Ireland. However, for a party which has so regularly demanded respect from others, Sinn Fein offered none towards those of us who are proud of Northern Ireland and wished to mark this significant milestone.
Sinn Fein continually attempt to create a false sense of inevitability about the likelihood of constitutional change in Northern Ireland. The fact they cannot even acknowledge the existence of Northern Ireland however perhaps points to an insecurity within republicanism. Having told generations of their supporters that a united Ireland is just around the corner they know that their current predictions are the same hollow rallying cry.
Sinn Fein should get on with making Northern Ireland work rather than denying its existence. That is what people from all backgrounds want to see."
