The Northern Ireland Protocol is impacting on all aspects of life in Northern Ireland, whether that is its contribution to the cost of living crisis, or that it continues to prevent the restoration of devolution.
The publication of the Northern Ireland Protocol Bill at Westminster however is recognition that the Protocol cannot continue. We continue to closely examine the details of the Bill, but if it becomes law, alongside regulations, it can remove the long shadow of the Protocol, restoring our place in the Union and allowing for a restoration of the equilibrium in Northern Ireland.
At Westminster too we continue to press the Chancellor for further action on fuel prices which are a key driver in the cost of living crisis.
Whilst the Executive and Assembly has been impacted by the Protocol, our work continues. Working groups have been established by the Head of the Civil Service across several policy themes and DUP MLAs are participating fully in these alongside our own party policy teams which continue to work across all areas of government.
Alongside this we are undertaking party briefings and engagement on key areas such as childcare, where DUP MLAs met with Employers for Childcare to advance our manifesto commitment of 30 hours free childcare.
On Thursday, we were part of a cross-party meeting with the Health Minister to discuss reform of our health service; a key plank of DUP plans to fix the NHS.
We cannot ignore the reality however, that any Executive would have its work blighted by the problems of the Northern Ireland Protocol. That is why it must be resolved. If we can get new arrangements that restore our position within the United Kingdom then we can all move forward properly and focus on tackling the other issues we face.
