Alliance Party Deputy Leader Eóin Tennyson MLA has criticised a move by unionist politicians to trigger the Stormont brake, after they submitted a request to do so this evening.

Eóin Tennyson said: "This is yet another cynical and self-defeating stunt.

"With a major UK-EU Summit just weeks away, this intervention is particularly counterproductive. Progress is being made towards a sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) agreement which could significantly reduce checks in the Irish Sea, cut costs and provide much-needed certainty for local farmers and businesses. Alliance has provided consistent leadership in calling for an agreement along these lines as a pragmatic mitigation. "Rather than building on that momentum and seizing the opportunities afforded by dual market access, the DUP's ongoing war of attrition is fuelling uncertainty and instability, undermining business confidence and discouraging investment.

"Perhaps it is unsurprising that the DUP is keen to reopen old Brexit battles, given that its former MP for Upper Bann admitted that the party had 'actively misled' its own supporters on the issue. But Northern Ireland cannot afford to keep paying the price for the DUP's disastrous Brexit strategy.

"Alliance has already set out constructive and pragmatic proposals in our Stronger Together paper. The focus should be on securing a full-scale reset of our relationship with the EU, including closer alignment as a first step towards the ultimate goal of rejoining. That is the kind of ambition needed to deliver greater economic certainty, reduce barriers and unlock Northern Ireland's potential."