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20/05/2022
DUP Leader To Meet With Taoiseach Micheál Martin
DUP Leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson has said that the "time for denial is over" ahead of a meeting in Belfast today, Friday 20 May, with Taoiseach Micheál Martin.
Speaking ahead of the meeting Sir Jeffrey said: "Powersharing only works with the consent of Unionists and Nationalists. For two and half years every unionist MLA and MP in Northern Ireland has been voicing opposition to the Protocol. There must be new arrangements if we are to move forward.
"The Protocol has damaged both Northern Ireland's economic and democratic arrangements. It must be resolved or both our political and economic future will be bleak. It must be replaced by arrangements that can command the support of Unionists as well as Nationalists.
"We are happy to engage with the Taoiseach regarding the Protocol and how our two countries operate on matters of mutual concern. The functioning of the Northern Ireland Assembly and Executive, however, are entirely matters for the Northern Ireland parties and the UK government.
"The time for denial is over. The Protocol has failed. The day London, Dublin and Brussels decided to move ahead without Unionist support was a mistake. Dublin must belatedly recognise that if nothing is fixed then there will be no progress.
"There is a great prize of stable devolution if we can remove the dark shadow of the Protocol from our politics. The choice is clear. The current protocol is incompatible with the Belfast/Good Friday Agreement. The Irish Government can't have both. Now is the time to find a better way forward. I believe that is possible."
Speaking ahead of the meeting Sir Jeffrey said: "Powersharing only works with the consent of Unionists and Nationalists. For two and half years every unionist MLA and MP in Northern Ireland has been voicing opposition to the Protocol. There must be new arrangements if we are to move forward.
"The Protocol has damaged both Northern Ireland's economic and democratic arrangements. It must be resolved or both our political and economic future will be bleak. It must be replaced by arrangements that can command the support of Unionists as well as Nationalists.
"We are happy to engage with the Taoiseach regarding the Protocol and how our two countries operate on matters of mutual concern. The functioning of the Northern Ireland Assembly and Executive, however, are entirely matters for the Northern Ireland parties and the UK government.
"The time for denial is over. The Protocol has failed. The day London, Dublin and Brussels decided to move ahead without Unionist support was a mistake. Dublin must belatedly recognise that if nothing is fixed then there will be no progress.
"There is a great prize of stable devolution if we can remove the dark shadow of the Protocol from our politics. The choice is clear. The current protocol is incompatible with the Belfast/Good Friday Agreement. The Irish Government can't have both. Now is the time to find a better way forward. I believe that is possible."
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The DUP has called on the government to set out a plan of how they intend to deliver imminently on their Command Paper. Party Leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson made the call after meeting with the Foreign Secretary Liz Truss ahead of the latest round of talks between the EU and UK Government.
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Economy Minister Urged To Take Advantage Of Special Economic Circumstances
The Economy Minister must act to take advantage of the special economic circumstances the protocol affords businesses in the north.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:Showers today, occasional north and west of Lough Neagh, but only a few isolated light outbreaks expected for Belfast and county Down where the best of the winter sunshine is expected. West to northwest winds brisk around the coasts. Maximum temperature 10 °C.Tonight:Showers focused across northern areas of the Province, with most in the south staying dry, with a frost developing for many here. Northwest winds fresh around the coasts. Minimum temperature 0 °C.
