As his first visit as prime minister, Rishi Sunak maintained he is working ‘flat out’ to reach an agreement on the Northern Ireland protocol.
The Prime Minister stated when touring the Harland & Wolff shipyard factory in Belfast that he was “dedicated” to achieving a breakthrough in negotiations with the EU.
However, he cautioned that certain aspects of the post-Brexit rules cannot remain because they “threaten” ties with the United Kingdom.
Mr. Sunak held “introductory” discussions with Jeffrey Donaldson of the DUP and Michelle O’Neill of Sinn Fein upon his arrival last night.
Both urged him to pursue a deal with Brussels that would enable the restoration of powersharing at Stormont and prevent the need for new elections.
As part of their protest against the Northern Ireland Protocol, a set of post-Brexit trade regulations, the DUP has obstructed both the executive and the assembly from functioning.
However, there have been mounting expectations that an agreement with the EU may end the heated conflict.
The Prime Minister stated when touring the Harland & Wolff shipyard factory in Belfast that he was “dedicated” to achieving a breakthrough in negotiations with the EU.
Mr. Sunak held “introductory” discussions with Sir Jeffrey Donaldson of the DUP and Michelle O’Neill of Sinn Fein after his arrival last night.
Mr. Sunak stated this morning, “I am dedicated to resolving some of the challenges with the (Northern Ireland) protocol, maintaining Northern Ireland’s role in the union, in the United Kingdom, and reinstating the Executive in the process.”
This is what the people of Northern Ireland need and deserve, and I am working tirelessly to get it.
“I have not imposed a firm timeframe on the negotiations (between the government and the EU), and I do not wish to increase people’s hopes for a swift breakthrough.”
I can assure you that I am committed to fixing this issue.
This week, the Foreign Secretary met with his counterpart, discussions are ongoing, and I will work as hard and as quickly as possible to find a solution to the protocol’s problems.
I intend to complete the task as soon as is practically practicable.
Mr. Sunak stated that several provisions of the agreement undermine Northern Ireland’s position inside the union.
It would be inappropriate for me to provide a running commentary on the negotiations, he stated.
Protecting Northern Ireland’s position within the union is of the utmost importance to me.
Clearly, there are portions of the protocol that risk that.
I wish to settle these issues and safeguard Northern Ireland’s position inside the union.
That is what I intend to accomplish. If we can accomplish this, we will be able to get the Executive up and running, which is what the people need and deserve.
Naomi Long, the leader of the Alliance Party, Doug Beattie of the UUP, and Colum Eastwood of the SDLP all attended the meeting in Belfast last night.
They were presented by Downing Street as a “introduction meeting and informal conversations” with political leaders from Northern Ireland.
»Rishi Sunak claims he is working ‘flat out’ to reach a protocol agreement for Northern Ireland«