Northern Ireland’s First Minister has said she is "incredulous" at a large order for a Belfast company to supply missiles for Ukraine.
The UK government announced that the Thales plant in the east of the city is to supply 5,000 air defence missiles to Ukraine in a deal worth up to £1.6 billion (€1.9bn).
However, Michelle O’Neill said she found the deal "incredulous" at the time of cuts to public services and winter fuel payments, national insurance hikes and inheritance tax changes for farmers.
Speaking in the Northern Assembly, she said: "I think at a time like that, rather than buying weapons of war, I would rather see the money invested in public services."
Ms O’Neill also said she felt the focus of the international community "should always be to work towards negotiation and peace settlements".
"Our own example here will tell us that," she added.
We need your consent to load this rte-player contentWe use rte-player to manage extra content that can set cookies on your device and collect data about your activity. Please review their details and accept them to load the content.Manage Preferences
UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said the lightweight-multirole missiles (LMM) will be made in Belfast, creating 200 jobs.
"This will be vital for protecting critical infrastructure now and strengthen Ukraine in securing the peace when it comes," he said.
The missiles, which are capable of flying at 1.5 times the speed of sound and striking targets more than 6km away, can be used to attack enemy vehicles, boats and drones.
Earlier, during a news conference at Stormont, DUP leader Gavin Robinson said the deal is "hugely significant" for the Belfast workforce.
He also described the heated confrontation between US President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at the White House last week as "appalling".
However, Mr Robinson said that political parties who are boycotting events to mark St Patrick’s Day in Washington, but who say the visit of Taoiseach Micheál Martin should go ahead, "can’t have it both ways".
The "hugely significant order", the DUP leader said, "builds on not only the work that has been done to encourage defence contributions and spend in Northern Ireland, but it also recognises the significant contribution Thales has made to the ongoing efforts in Ukraine."
He said that previous missiles built in Belfast had been vital to the defence of Ukraine.
"In fact, Ukraine would have fallen had it not been for the contribution from Belfast in the early phases," Mr Robinson said.
"While international coalitions have increased and contributions have been made from a wide range of countries and companies, the Belfast contribution has continued to grow.
"It is of vital importance. To achieve a contract of £1.6 billion with 5,000 units and the encouragement for employment of 200 new employees at Thales is hugely significant indeed."
Mr Robinson added: "This order of 5,000 units in an overall package of £1.6 billion is hugely significant for the Belfast workforce. It is a recognition of their skill and what they do in our city.
"There is no point talking about international principles, no point talking about the values we respect and that we wish to protect globally if you are not prepared to stand up for them.
"I think the encouragement and the discussions between the UK government and Ukraine have been important over the weekend.
"The summit that took place yesterday was another important step forward in the support that is available for Ukraine and last night a suggestion that actually the discussions between the US and Ukraine are back on track."
Mr Robinson said he is not travelling to the US for St Patrick’s Day events, but his party colleague and deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly will be making the trip.
First Minister Ms O’Neill will not be travelling as part of Sinn Féin's protest at Mr Trump’s remarks on Gaza.
Alliance Party leader Naomi Long said that nobody from her party will be at the White House, although it will be sending a representative to Washington.
Mr Robinson said: "The deputy First Minister is rightly going to represent Northern Ireland, rightly ensuring that Northern Ireland’s voice is heard.
"When the focus of the US political establishment, whether it is the Presidency or Congress, is focused on us, focused on the shared endeavours we have had over many decades, focused on the investment for Northern Ireland and job creation that comes from the United States. That is what political leaders do.
"So while we will have people in Northern Ireland today criticising the deputy First Minister for going with not a word of criticism for a First Minister … while on the other side of their mouth they will say that it is right that the Taoiseach goes and it is right that the prime minister goes. They can’t have it both ways."
