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08/02/2023
SDLP Welcomes Supreme Court Judgement On NI Protocol
The SDLP has welcomed a ruling from the Supreme Court that the "Northern Ireland Protocol is a lawful instrument" and has urged the EU-UK negotiating teams to reach a resolution that retains access to the EU Single Market for NI businesses while addressing issues with implementation that have been raised.
Speaking following today's judgment, Matthew O'Toole MLA said:
"The Supreme Court ruling this morning provides important clarity on lawful status of the Northern Ireland Protocol as an integral part of the Withdrawal Agreement as a matter of international and domestic UK law.
"I understand that the applicants will be disappointed in this ruling but would urge caution and restraint to those who have used this case with a view to undermining devolution in its entirety.
"Following this judgment, it is now critical that the EU and UK negotiating teams reach a comprehensive resolution that protects our unique access to the Single Market for goods while addressing the concerns around protocol implementation that have given rise to sincere objections related to trade barriers and identity issues in the unionist community.
"The people of Northern Ireland deserve government. That is the challenge we should all be working together to address, for patients waiting for a hospital appointment, for families waiting for cost of living support, for parents who need help with the cost of childcare. The politics of division and deadlock have failed. It is time to get back to working together."
Speaking following today's judgment, Matthew O'Toole MLA said:
"The Supreme Court ruling this morning provides important clarity on lawful status of the Northern Ireland Protocol as an integral part of the Withdrawal Agreement as a matter of international and domestic UK law.
"I understand that the applicants will be disappointed in this ruling but would urge caution and restraint to those who have used this case with a view to undermining devolution in its entirety.
"Following this judgment, it is now critical that the EU and UK negotiating teams reach a comprehensive resolution that protects our unique access to the Single Market for goods while addressing the concerns around protocol implementation that have given rise to sincere objections related to trade barriers and identity issues in the unionist community.
"The people of Northern Ireland deserve government. That is the challenge we should all be working together to address, for patients waiting for a hospital appointment, for families waiting for cost of living support, for parents who need help with the cost of childcare. The politics of division and deadlock have failed. It is time to get back to working together."
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The DUP has welcomed the news that a joint unionist action against the NI Protocol is being elevated to the UK Supreme Court. Upper Bann candidate Diane Dodds said: "The Protocol is not supported by a single unionist party in Northern Ireland. We have a Five-Point Plan which includes removing it. But we can only do that if we win the election.
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PM Urged To Set Out Criteria For Unity Referendum
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A sunny but frosty start for many. However cloud increases by midday with a few showers reaching the north coast, these mostly light but spreading inland this afternoon. Chilly. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A rather cloudy evening with scattered showers. Becoming drier through the night with some good clear spells developing and a patchy frost away from coasts. Minimum temperature 0 °C.
