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17/05/2021
Poots: Removing NI Protocol Is Top Priority
The incoming DUP leader has said getting rid of the Northern Ireland Protocol will be his top priority in the coming months.
Edwin Poots is planning to meet with Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Taoiseach Michael Martin within to try and resolve the post-Brexit trade arrangements.
He also told the Sunday Life newspaper that he will not attend north-south ministerial meetings until the protocol issue is resolved.
Mr Poots defeated the DUP's Westminster leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson in the battle to replace Arlene Foster.
In an exclusive interview with the newspaper he said: "For me, this is not a unionist issue. This is a Northern Ireland issue. At the end of the grace period we are looking at 15,000 checks being applied on goods coming into Northern Ireland from Great Britain.
"On supermarket goods and the food that ends up in your corner shop, that is going to affect every consumer in Northern Ireland.
"Ninety-eight per cent of our drugs and medical devices come from Great Britain. Those are going to be subject to these checks after the scrutiny period and problems with getting things in, including cancer drugs.
"It is just entirely unacceptable that our health service could be hit with additional cost, and indeed with maybe not having certain material that is needed as a consequence of it.
"We need to find a solution which overcomes all of this. We need the EU to recognise this protocol is not fit for purpose. It isn’t working and it cannot work and therefore we have to go back to the drawing board.
"We have more checks taking place between Great Britain and Northern Ireland than all of the eastern border of the EU."
Edwin Poots is planning to meet with Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Taoiseach Michael Martin within to try and resolve the post-Brexit trade arrangements.
He also told the Sunday Life newspaper that he will not attend north-south ministerial meetings until the protocol issue is resolved.
Mr Poots defeated the DUP's Westminster leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson in the battle to replace Arlene Foster.
In an exclusive interview with the newspaper he said: "For me, this is not a unionist issue. This is a Northern Ireland issue. At the end of the grace period we are looking at 15,000 checks being applied on goods coming into Northern Ireland from Great Britain.
"On supermarket goods and the food that ends up in your corner shop, that is going to affect every consumer in Northern Ireland.
"Ninety-eight per cent of our drugs and medical devices come from Great Britain. Those are going to be subject to these checks after the scrutiny period and problems with getting things in, including cancer drugs.
"It is just entirely unacceptable that our health service could be hit with additional cost, and indeed with maybe not having certain material that is needed as a consequence of it.
"We need to find a solution which overcomes all of this. We need the EU to recognise this protocol is not fit for purpose. It isn’t working and it cannot work and therefore we have to go back to the drawing board.
"We have more checks taking place between Great Britain and Northern Ireland than all of the eastern border of the EU."
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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).
15 July 2021
DUP Leader Sets Out 'Seven Tests' On NI Protocol
Sir Jeffrey Donaldson MP has set out Seven Tests for any new arrangements the Government would announce regarding the Northern Ireland Protocol. The DUP Leader said that these tests are "grounded not in a unionist wish list, but in promises that have already been made in one form or another, to the people of Northern Ireland".
DUP Leader Sets Out 'Seven Tests' On NI Protocol
Sir Jeffrey Donaldson MP has set out Seven Tests for any new arrangements the Government would announce regarding the Northern Ireland Protocol. The DUP Leader said that these tests are "grounded not in a unionist wish list, but in promises that have already been made in one form or another, to the people of Northern Ireland".
28 September 2021
Unionist Parties Unite To Oppose NI Protocol
Northern Ireland's Unionist parties have joined forces to appose the Northern Ireland Protocol and call for it to be replaced with arrangements that fully respect NI's position as a constituent and integral part of the United Kingdom.
Unionist Parties Unite To Oppose NI Protocol
Northern Ireland's Unionist parties have joined forces to appose the Northern Ireland Protocol and call for it to be replaced with arrangements that fully respect NI's position as a constituent and integral part of the United Kingdom.
21 July 2021
Irish Report On Protocol Downplays Serious And Endemic Disruption
A report by the Institute of Irish Studies downplays the serious and endemic disruption caused by the Protocol to relationships between Great Britain and Northern Ireland, DUP North Antrim MP Ian Paisley has claimed.
Irish Report On Protocol Downplays Serious And Endemic Disruption
A report by the Institute of Irish Studies downplays the serious and endemic disruption caused by the Protocol to relationships between Great Britain and Northern Ireland, DUP North Antrim MP Ian Paisley has claimed.
27 February 2023
New Draft Protocol For Restorative Justice Published
A new draft protocol governing the use of restorative interventions in the criminal justice system in Northern Ireland, has been published by the Department of Justice. A review of the 2007 protocol was launched last year by the then Justice Minister, Naomi Long, with the overall aim of improving outcomes for victims, communities and defendants.
New Draft Protocol For Restorative Justice Published
A new draft protocol governing the use of restorative interventions in the criminal justice system in Northern Ireland, has been published by the Department of Justice. A review of the 2007 protocol was launched last year by the then Justice Minister, Naomi Long, with the overall aim of improving outcomes for victims, communities and defendants.
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