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PM must stand up for Northern Ireland

That was the message from the Party leader ahead of the Prime Minister’s visit to Northern Ireland yesterday. Welcoming commitments to mark the Centenary of Northern Ireland she said,

”Our first 100 years have been turbulent yet we succeeded in so many ways but it is vital we lay a foundation for the next 100 years which is firmly based on a shared future with prosperity for all who live and work in Northern Ireland.”

However, he was also told clearly that he must replace the Northern Ireland Protocol.

”Not a single unionist Party in Northern Ireland supports this unworkable Protocol. Rather than protect the Belfast Agreement and its successor agreements, the Protocol has created societal division and economic harm.”

Read the full comments here.

Also this Week

Party Leader Arlene Foster paid tribute to former DUP MLA Jimmy Spratt in the Assembly Chamber.
- Marked Commonwealth Day alongside Chair of the NI Commonwealth Parliamentary Association, William Humphrey MLA,
- Marked International Womens Day and highlighted the impact of abuse on social media.
- Hailed the success of the local vaccination programme.
- Announced a £1.175m support package for travel agency businesses.
- Led the weekly media briefing following Thursday’s meeting of the Executive.

Deputy Leader and Peer Nigel Dodds told the House of Lords the Government must act quickly to undo the damage being done by restrictions on trade through the NI Protocol.

Education Minister Peter Weir made clear his support for the quickest return to school for all pupils.
- Announced further measures to support childcare providers.
- Confirmed that P1-P3 pupils would remain in school until the start of the Easter break.

South Antrim MP Paul Girvan welcomed publication of the Union Connectivity Review.

DAERA Minister Edwin Poots was welcomed back to his post this week after stepping down temporarily.
- Launched a £4million Covid support package for pig and poultry producers.
- Gave clarity on the importation of cricket loam products.
- Kickstarted the climate action campaign in the lead up to COP26

Economy Minister Diane Dodds said improving skills must be at the heart of economic recovery.
- Welcomed funding for skills and promoting NI through the UK Government’s ‘New Deal for Northern Ireland’.
- Said connectivity was key to economic growth following publication of the Union Connectivity Review.

East Belfast MP Gavin Robinson said the SDLP response to the Union Connectivity Review showed no desire to work in the common interest.

North Antrim MP Ian Paisley highlighted the threat posed to the local economy by the NI Protocol.
- Said the launch of the NI Centenary programme should be the start of a new approach from nationalist parties.

Upper Bann MP Carla Lockhart said disability discrimination in the womb should end.
- Challenged the Secretary of State on the failure to provide long-term solutions to the NI Protocol.

South Antrim MLA Pam Cameron said comments by the Older Persons Commissioner on care home visits must be taken seriously.
- Welcomed the deployment of military personnel to assist with the Covid vaccine roll-out.

South Belfast MLA Christopher Stalford said figures showing prescription of antidepressants underscored the mental health impact of Covid-19.

East Londonderry MP Gregory Campbell wrote to the Home Secretary calling for an investigation into Roy Greenslade’s IRA links.