Deal allowing NI access to EU Single Market must not sacrifice free trade within UK: UUP

Ulster Unionist MLA Steve Aiken was responding to comments made by Irish deputy premier Micheal Martin – that all of NI’s main parties want to maintain access to the Single Market.

Mr Martin said Stormont leaders must be ready to “grasp the opportunity to restore devolution,” if a deal between the EU and the UK emerges from the ongoing protocol talks.

Speaking to RTE Radio One, Mr Martin said the EU, and UK and Irish governments, were “very aware” of unionist concerns about the Irish Sea trading arrangements and stressed it would be a challenge to find an agreed solution between London and Brussels.

“He said: “I’ve spoken to the DUP leader Jeffrey Donaldson, I’ve spoken to all leaders in Northern Ireland, they all want the restoration of the Executive and the Assembly, it should be restored.

“I think an opportunity could arise here. If it arises in terms of an outcome to the protocol issues, then it should be grasped by all parties in Northern Ireland, including unionism.”

He added: “All are agreed on one thing, (along) with industry in Northern Ireland, that access to the European single market should be maintained”.

Steve Aiken said: “The priority is and continues to be remaining a full part of the UK's internal market. Membership of the European Single Market is welcome, but not at the expense of full integration within our own Nation’s economy. For anyone to suggest otherwise is at best disingenuous. There are opportunities for Northern Ireland, however eroding our place in the United Kingdom is not a price worth paying.”

In response to Mr Martin’s claims, DUP MP Gavin Robinson said: "NI’s haulage experts have said that if the protocol was fully implemented our supply chains would collapse within 48 hours.

“We want to see London, Dublin and Brussels demonstrating their commitment to Northern Ireland by ensuring the mistakes of 2019 are not repeated in 2023. We must work to have the protocol replaced with arrangements that unionists can support.

“We set our seven tests over a year ago. Brussels and London are both aware. We need arrangements that unionists can support.”