fine inside Vice President Michelle O’Neill has said she will brief senior U.S. politicians about the need to restore power-sharing in Stormont during a visit to Washington.
Ms. O’Neill will travel to the US on Monday for a series of meetings with congressmen and Irish-American leaders.
She said the US remained a “critical partner” for peace and progress in Northern Ireland but added that the Conservative The government had proven it to be an “unreliable partner”.
Powersharing in Northern Ireland is in limbo after the DUP blocked the creation of a delegated executive branch after the May elections in protest against the Northern Ireland Protocol.
The Tory party’s actions in Westminster have shown them to be an unreliable partner in Ireland and internationally
Unionists and loyalists are outraged by trade arrangements that have led to new controls on goods moving between Britain and Northern Ireland, and have demanded changes from the British government.
A controversial bill that would allow ministers to set aside aspects of the schemes is currently being staged in Westminster.
Sinn Fein emerged as the largest party in the Northern Ireland Assembly elections and Ms O’Neill would line up to become prime minister if the DUP dropped its boycott of the devolved institutions.
Prior to her trip to Washington, she said: “Having traveled to Brussels, Dublin and London since our historic elections in May, this is my first visit to Washington, where I will emphasize the value of the relationship with the United States, which a vital partner for peace and progress.
“I will tell politicians, diplomats and business leaders that the majority of the people voted for change, and that the majority of newly elected MLAs and Assembly parties are strongly committed to working together and making politics work so that we can make the whole community. .
“The ongoing stalemate by the DUP denying the public the democratic representation and leadership they are entitled to cannot continue.
“The political cover of the Tories must be fought vigorously. The Good Friday Agreement must be both fully applied and enforced.”
Ms O’Neill said it took a decentralized government to establish a budget to help families and workers struggling with the cost of living crisis.
She also sharply criticized the Conservative government for its controversial Legacy and Reconciliation Act in Northern Ireland.
The bill seeks the promise of immunity from prosecution for perpetrators of Troubles crimes who agree to provide information to a new truth body and take steps to end conflict-related civil cases and judicial investigations.
The legislation has been criticized by all political parties in Northern Ireland, as well as by groups of victims and survivors and by the Irish government.
Ms O’Neill said: “It is important that anyone in the US who values the close political, economic and cultural ties to the island of Ireland understand what is now at stake after a quarter of a century of peace and stability.
“It is vital that we underline the reckless actions of the British government seeking to sabotage our political deals through their anti-Good Friday Accord agenda which is unfairly disguised in pro-agreement rhetoric.
“They have abandoned victims and survivors and fundamentally deviated from the Stormont House Agreement by legislating unilaterally to protect the interests of the British state itself.
“They are legislating to violate international law and are denouncing the protocol that limits the impact of their hard Brexit on society and business here and prevents a hard border.
“The protocol is supported by a majority of MLAs because it works and gives us access to the EU’s internal market, which helps companies export (and) create more jobs and economic success.
“They are doing this at a time of great conflict in Europe.
“The Tory party’s actions in Westminster have shown them to be an unreliable partner in Ireland and internationally.
“Their actions continue to challenge anyone who values our agreements.
“Now is the time to reaffirm the primacy of politics, honoring agreements and respect for international law, which protects the entire island economy and prevents a hard border on the island of Ireland.”