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Unionism working together against NI Protocol

This week seen a number of initiatives taken forward across unionism in opposition to the Northern Ireland Protocol.

At the start of the week, Arlene Foster joined DUP colleagues Lord Dodds, Sir Jeffrey Donaldson and Sammy Wilson in supporting a legal challenge to the Protocol. This challenge is also supported across other unionist parties in Northern Ireland, Ben Habib and Kate Hoey.

This was followed by a letter to the Prime Minister signed by DUP representatives and those from the UUP, TUV, Baroness Hoey and Lord Trimble.

Read the full text of the letter here.

Also this week

MPs debated the motion in Parliament triggered by the e-Petition tabled by the Party Leader Arlene Foster.

DUP MPs participated in the debate and you can watch the videos here:
Sir Jeffrey Donaldson
Jim Shannon
Sammy Wilson
Carla Lockhart
Ian Paisley

First Minister and Party Leader Arlene Foster spoke to BBC Good Morning Ulster ahead of a meeting of the Joint Committee.
- Following the meeting she said it was time for the UK Government to act unilaterally.
- Welcomed the £210 City Deal for the North West of Northern Ireland - a commitment secured through the Confidence & Supply Agreement.
- Met with representatives of the Loyalist Communities Council alongside Deputy Leader Nigel Dodds and East Belfast MP Gavin Robinson.
- Led the weekly Executive Media Briefing on Thursday.

Deputy Leader Nigel Dodds and Sir Jeffrey Donaldson outlined the impact of the Northern Ireland Protocol to influencers in Washington.
- Lord Dodds questioned whether advice on school re-opening was shared between medical officers across all UK regions.

Education Minister Peter Weir said there was a strong case for getting all pupils back to school. He also said NI should stay in step with other regions.
- Welcomed a new Text-a-Nurse service aimed at 11-19 year olds to text a school nurse for advice and support.
- Announced dates for CCEA 2021 examination results.

DAERA Minister Gordon Lyons highighted the risk posed to food security from the Northern Ireland Protocol.
- Brought forward new regulations to ensure smooth delivery of direct agricultural support to farmers.
- Announced that the School Milk Scheme was set to continue.

Junior Minister Gary Middleton commented after the first meeting of the High Streets Task Force.

North Antrim MLA Mervyn Storey accused the Alliance Party of hypocrisy and double standards following criticism of the meeting with the Loyalist Communities Council.

South Antrim MLA Pam Cameron referred the disruption on movement of guide dogs as a result of the NI Protocol to the Equality Commission on the grounds of disability discrimination.

Economy Minister Diane Dodds launched an Economic Recovery Action Plan for Northern Ireland.
- Called for an extension of the Furlough Scheme.

North Antrim MP Ian Paisley said the vaccination programme demonstrated the benefits of being part of the United Kingdom.

Upper Bann MLA Jonathan Buckley said that rising hospital waiting lists demonstrated the need for ‘fairness and equality’ in our health service.