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27/08/2021
'Time For Brussels To Change Its Tune' - Sir Jeffrey Donaldson
The DUP leader, Sir Jeffrey Donaldson, has said that it is "time for Brussels to change its tune", as he travels to Dublin today for a series of discussions including a meeting with the Republic of Ireland's Taoiseach Micheál Martin.
The visit is part of a series of engagements with key stakeholders about "the deep damage being caused to progress in Northern Ireland by the Protocol".
Speaking ahead of the meetings, Sir Jeffrey said: "The economic border in the Irish Sea violates the Act of Union and has damaged political, economic and cultural stability within Northern Ireland. It cannot be sustained.
"Rather than protecting the 1998 Belfast Agreement and its successors, the Protocol breaches those Agreements.
"Whilst the Prime Minister and Lord Frost have recognised the flaws of the Protocol, tangible progress has been slower. The economic disruption of the UK Single Market continues. We continue to make our case in London.
"Dublin also has a key role to play. It was the then Taoiseach Leo Varadkar who insisted on such arrangements with his fellow EU leaders. I will be asking the Taoiseach to recognise the flaws of the Protocol and join with us in arguing in the corridors of power for change.
"It is time for Brussels to change its tune. It either changes course or it will have to take responsibility for Northern Ireland drifting backwards.
"I am in the business of moving Northern Ireland forward and building a shared and united community, but the Protocol currently stands in the way of progress."
The visit is part of a series of engagements with key stakeholders about "the deep damage being caused to progress in Northern Ireland by the Protocol".
Speaking ahead of the meetings, Sir Jeffrey said: "The economic border in the Irish Sea violates the Act of Union and has damaged political, economic and cultural stability within Northern Ireland. It cannot be sustained.
"Rather than protecting the 1998 Belfast Agreement and its successors, the Protocol breaches those Agreements.
"Whilst the Prime Minister and Lord Frost have recognised the flaws of the Protocol, tangible progress has been slower. The economic disruption of the UK Single Market continues. We continue to make our case in London.
"Dublin also has a key role to play. It was the then Taoiseach Leo Varadkar who insisted on such arrangements with his fellow EU leaders. I will be asking the Taoiseach to recognise the flaws of the Protocol and join with us in arguing in the corridors of power for change.
"It is time for Brussels to change its tune. It either changes course or it will have to take responsibility for Northern Ireland drifting backwards.
"I am in the business of moving Northern Ireland forward and building a shared and united community, but the Protocol currently stands in the way of progress."
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Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:A fine end to the day with some evening sunshine. It remains mainly dry overnight with a touch of frost or fog patches possible in places. However, cloud is expected to increase towards dawn with the odd light shower. Minimum temperature 2 °C.
