View this email in your browser

Taoiseach told Protocol must go

DUP Leader Edwin Poots travelled to Dublin on Thursday for a meeting with Taoiseach Micheal Martin. Ahead of the meeting The Party Leader outlined that he would be outlining the anger in Northern Ireland caused by the Protocol, that it is unworkable and must go.

Speaking on Friday morning he said that a recognition by Micheal Martin of the problems caused by the Protocol was the first step towards a solution.

Also this week

Party Leader & Environment Minister Edwin Poots announced new roles within the DUP Assembly team.
- Held his first DUP Assembly Group Meeting as party leader.
- Said the Stormont party leaders forum could provide an opportunity to focus on the most important issues facing the people of Northern Ireland.
- Confirmed a delay to the introduction of pet travel checks at NI points of entry until at least 1st October.
- Launched a consultation on the NI carrier bag levy.
- Confirmed DAERA Direct offices would re-open to customers from 7th June.
- Visited Rathlin to hear of the island’s carbon neutral plans.
- Met with the UK High-Level Climate Action Champion for COP26
- Congratulated Cranswick Foods on achieving PAS 2060 Carbon Neutrality accreditation.
- Was interviewed on Good Morning Ulster where he described Northern Ireland’s waiting lists as “entirely unacceptable”.

Deputy Leader Paula Bradley carried out her first tv interview since being elected to her post.
- Said the DUP’s position on abortion is clear and has not changed.

First Minister Arlene Foster met school children at Creavery Primary School in Antrim.
- Said recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic must focus on making peoples lives better.
- Told adults with a learning disability their voices matter and their views should be heard.

Economy Minister Diane Dodds introduced a Bill to legislate for statutory Parental Bereavement Leave and Pay in Northern Ireland.
- Welcomed 130 jobs and a £19 million PPE contract for Denroy in Bangor.
- Called for the extension of furlough for the aerospace sector.
- Announced a new Assured Skills Academy with PwC and Belfast Met.
- Launched a new supply chain and logistics course for Higher Level Apprentices.
- Raised Protocol issues with Lord Frost.
- Announced the table service requirement for unlicenced hospitality businesses was to be removed.
- Congratulated South West College on a prestigeous energy efficiency award.

Education Minister Peter Weir launched “A Fair Start” action plan on educational underachievement.

Upper Bann MP Carla Lockhart commented on news that up to 180 jobs could be lost at Thompson Aero.

North Antrim MP Ian Paisley congraulated the new Israeli President.

Policing Board Member Mervyn Storey & Justice Committee Chair Paul Givan said questions were raised by the decision not to prosecute BLM protestors.

North Antrim MLA Mervyn Storey said the Chief Constable’s acknowledgement of a need to restore unionist confidence was a welcome first step.

East Belfast MLA Joanne Bunting said that figures provided by the NCA were a sobering reminder of the need to safeguard children.

East Londonderry MP Gregory Campbell said that Northern Ireland needed a confident, embracing unionism.
- Said the threatening and ‘suck it up’ approach of Simon Coveney to the NI Protocol was reckless and tone deaf.