Brussels '˜fact finding' trip for Ulster Unionists

The Ulster Unionist leader said the Brexit decision of June 23 has brought an era of uncertainty that could last a decade or more.

“We are here seeking information and clarity, because while the expression ‘Brexit means Brexit’ is catchy, the problem is that no one knows what it actually means and that is bad for the economy,” he said.

“Within a couple of hours, it was clear that the uncertainty stretches to Brussels.

“No one knows who will be negotiating for the UK, who they will be dealing with, or the terms of engagement.

“It is easy to define the threats, as the first ministers did in their letter to Theresa May, but the bigger challenge is to identify the opportunities and now that the people have voted for Brexit, there is a duty on the NI Executive to give us a vision of how Northern Ireland can prosper in a post-EU environment.”