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THE DEBRIS OF the Northern Ireland Protocol must be “cleared away” if Stormont powersharing institutions are to return, DUP leader Jeffrey Donaldson has insisted.
Donaldson was speaking ahead of a meeting with Taoiseach Micheál Martin later today, and he reiterated the political institutions need the support of unionists as well as nationalists and others.
The Taoiseach is meeting local parties in Belfast as a deadline to restore Stormont and avoid fresh Assembly elections rapidly approaches.
The DUP is blocking the functioning of the powersharing institutions in Belfast as part of its protest against the post-Brexit protocol that has created barriers on the movement of goods between Britain and Northern Ireland.
The UK Government has vowed to secure changes to the protocol, either by way of a negotiated compromise with the EU or through proposed domestic legislation that would empower ministers to scrap the arrangements without the approval of Brussels.
Relations between the UK and EU appear to have improved since Liz Truss became prime minister and London and Brussels have been talking up the potential for a deal through fresh negotiations.
Current legislation says that unless Stormont is restored by 28 October, Northern Ireland Secretary Chris Heaton-Harris has to call Assembly elections – something he has said he is prepared to do.
Donaldson said: “We must lay solid foundations if we are to move forward.
“We need to clear away the debris of the protocol years.
“We need to restore cross-community consensus.
“No unionist MLAs support the protocol. Therefore, it must be replaced by arrangements that unionists can support.
“This is essential if the political institutions are to function and succeed.”
The DUP leader also called on Brussels to “loosen the guide ropes” for its negotiating team so problems with the protocol can be discussed and resolved.
He added: “The protocol continues to bedevil us, with businesses and consumers reporting further problems each week.
“A 25% tariff on steel, driving up transport costs by almost 30%, and uncertainty over medicine and veterinary supplies.
“The checks, however, on the Irish Sea border are but a symptom of the problem.
“They are the product of Northern Ireland being subject to a different set of laws imposed upon us by a foreign entity without any say or vote by any locally-elected representative.
“If we can secure a better way forward, then there is a great prize of stable devolved government, but without decisive action in Dublin and Brussels then the protocol will continue to erode the foundations of Stormont.
“Devolution requires the support of unionists as well as nationalists if it is to function and succeed.”
Sinn Féin, which emerged as the largest party in Northern Ireland during Assembly elections earlier this year, has repeatedly called for Stormont to return immediately to address the cost-of-living crisis.
Speaking last week, Sinn Féin Stormont leader Michelle O’Neill said: “We need to get around the executive table today, no more delays. Particularly whenever you see the scale of challenges that we have to tackle as an executive, not least fixing our health service.”
The Taoiseach will hold separate meetings with O’Neill, Donaldson, Alliance Party leader Naomi Long, leader of the SDLP Colum Eastwood and Ulster Unionist leader Doug Beattie.
His programme will conclude with a visit to meet participants in programmes working with schools as catalysts for peace and reconciliation.
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dup are like the Lilliputions. They have zero interest in any form of powersharing. If it wasn’t the protocol it probably be about which side of the egg to open in the morning.
The biggest debris is the DUP.
The irony of the DUP complaining about a ‘foreign entity’ imposing laws.
And there it is, the DUP most used manoeuvre. Get what we want then put a new line in the sand.
Still trying to have their cake and eat it. Still unwilling to come to terms with the self inflicted chaos of Brexit.
@Nick: trying to have someone else’s cake and eat it!
The majority of NI voted to stay in Europe yet these people are dictating against the will of the majority! Some “democracy” there? As I understand it, the Protocol has helped NI stay ahead of the economic situation experienced in the rest of the UK.
The Protocol is the only thing keeping NI from going down the economic toilet like the rest of the UK. Jeremy Hunt has to find £60bn in cuts in order to just balance the books. DUP Turkeys voting for Christmas!
DUP says NOI.
So it was the removing of The Protocol originally now it’s the debris of the Protocol.. they are full of it!
If it wasn’t the protocol it would be something else. The DUP cannot accept the position of Deputy First Minister. The whole point historically was to ensure the status quo with a Unionist in charge – psychologically this is a disaster for DUP supporters and politicians. Better to dig in rather than to give in.
Confusing headline and article text. Did he say the “Debris of the Protocol” itself or the “Debris of the protocol years” like it says in the article. Different meanings, the former suggests that the protocol is already smashed or demolished, the latter meaning the fallout and bad feeling needs to be cleared in order to move on. Everything to do with progress in NI always has to be ambiguous so it can be sold to both sides.
If the DUP were the largest party in Stormont The Assembly would be up and running with Donaldson as 1st Minister and O Neill as Deputy 1st Minister. The Protocol dispute is being used as an excuse to prevent that “horror of horrors” for Ulster Unionists, a Sinn Féin member holding the position of 1st Minister in the Stormont Assembly . In The South FF and FG after 100 years of being bitter rivals have formed a coalition for the same reason .
The 25% tariff on british steel is another red herring. It is so expensive that less than 5% of steel used in the north has been sourced there.
Take it up with with the government https://www.gov.uk/government/speeches/pm-press-conference-at-eu-council-17-october-2019
Mabe its there hoping to be the Largest Party if Fresh Elections are called and using the protocl as A Side kick
The irony of it all is that a Northern Ireland with free access to and from the UK and EU markets is a lot better off than NI in a Untied Ireland. The double irony is that those nationalists gloating at the DUP’s failure to get the protocol scrapped and a hard border on the island of Ireland do not seem to realise that a hard border and it’s hardships in NI are more likely to result in a United Ireland than a Northern Ireland with free assess to and from both major markets. Just my personal opinion anyway
have your say