Menu
07/11/2022
Govt Urged To Deliver Protocol Outcome Unionists Can Support
The DUP has urged London and Brussels to "ensue the Protocol is replaced by arrangements that unionists can support".
Claiming that previous opportunities to deal with the Protocol have been squandered, Upper Bann MLA Diane Dodds, said: "Unionism is united in opposition to the Protocol and would have demonstrated such unity at the ballot box. We have a mandate for the action we have taken and would have happily renewed and strengthened our mandate had a December poll taken place.
"Both the Government and the EU have been aware of our consistent position regarding the sustainability of Stormont since February 2021 and successive Prime Ministers and Secretaries of State have squandered that time.
"Whilst the last two years have been fruitless, because of Brussels being in denial about the flawed Protocol, the Secretary of State should use this time wisely to ensure that the Protocol is replaced by arrangements that restore Northern Ireland’s place in the United Kingdom.
"The Government need to deliver an outcome that unionists can support either through the NI Protocol Bill or through negotiations. But they must realise that there will be no return for fully functioning devolved government until the Protocol is dealt with.
"Political progress in Northern Ireland has been hard won but fundamentally it is built on the support of unionists and nationalists. London and Brussels must recognise that real progress can be made but never by one section of our people dominating another. That will never produce durable or balanced outcomes."
Claiming that previous opportunities to deal with the Protocol have been squandered, Upper Bann MLA Diane Dodds, said: "Unionism is united in opposition to the Protocol and would have demonstrated such unity at the ballot box. We have a mandate for the action we have taken and would have happily renewed and strengthened our mandate had a December poll taken place.
"Both the Government and the EU have been aware of our consistent position regarding the sustainability of Stormont since February 2021 and successive Prime Ministers and Secretaries of State have squandered that time.
"Whilst the last two years have been fruitless, because of Brussels being in denial about the flawed Protocol, the Secretary of State should use this time wisely to ensure that the Protocol is replaced by arrangements that restore Northern Ireland’s place in the United Kingdom.
"The Government need to deliver an outcome that unionists can support either through the NI Protocol Bill or through negotiations. But they must realise that there will be no return for fully functioning devolved government until the Protocol is dealt with.
"Political progress in Northern Ireland has been hard won but fundamentally it is built on the support of unionists and nationalists. London and Brussels must recognise that real progress can be made but never by one section of our people dominating another. That will never produce durable or balanced outcomes."
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
03 February 2023
Protocol Must Be Replaced With Arrangements Unionists Can Support
The Protocol must be replaced with arrangements that unionists can support, DUP Leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson MP has told Irish Minister for Foreign Affairs Micheál Martin as the two met in Belfast. They also discussed the Republic of Ireland’s role in the statutory inquiry into the Omagh Bomb.
Protocol Must Be Replaced With Arrangements Unionists Can Support
The Protocol must be replaced with arrangements that unionists can support, DUP Leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson MP has told Irish Minister for Foreign Affairs Micheál Martin as the two met in Belfast. They also discussed the Republic of Ireland’s role in the statutory inquiry into the Omagh Bomb.
18 January 2023
DUP Calls For Arrangements That Command Support Of Unionists
The Northern Ireland Protocol must be replaced with arrangements that can command the support of unionists and to restore NI's economic and constitutional place within the United Kingdom, DUP Leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson has said.
DUP Calls For Arrangements That Command Support Of Unionists
The Northern Ireland Protocol must be replaced with arrangements that can command the support of unionists and to restore NI's economic and constitutional place within the United Kingdom, DUP Leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson has said.
25 February 2022
Resolving Protocol Essential For Peace And Stability
The Protocol continues to divide opinion in Northern Ireland, but the majority agree that solving it is essential for peace and stability, according to a report from Queen's University Belfast (QUB).
Resolving Protocol Essential For Peace And Stability
The Protocol continues to divide opinion in Northern Ireland, but the majority agree that solving it is essential for peace and stability, according to a report from Queen's University Belfast (QUB).
24 January 2023
DUP Warns Against Attempts To Form Executive Without Unionist Support
The DUP has warned against any attempt to legislate in order to form an Executive without the support of a majority of unionists. East Belfast MP Gavin Robinson has said that the suggestion that the Government would further re-write the Belfast Agreement and legislate to form an Executive without the DUP "seems like someone flying a kite".
DUP Warns Against Attempts To Form Executive Without Unionist Support
The DUP has warned against any attempt to legislate in order to form an Executive without the support of a majority of unionists. East Belfast MP Gavin Robinson has said that the suggestion that the Government would further re-write the Belfast Agreement and legislate to form an Executive without the DUP "seems like someone flying a kite".
09 November 2022
No NI Election Before April 2023
No election will be held in Northern Ireland before April 2023, the UK government has confirmed, as they extend the deadline for the formation of the Executive and "appropriately" reduce MLA's pay.
No NI Election Before April 2023
No election will be held in Northern Ireland before April 2023, the UK government has confirmed, as they extend the deadline for the formation of the Executive and "appropriately" reduce MLA's pay.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:Largely dry with clear spells at first, a few showers in the north and west. Becoming cloudier with rain spreading east through the early hours. Becoming windy, westerly gales developing along the north coast. Minimum temperature 6 °C.
