Two years were 'squandered' trying to deal with the NI Protocol while Stormont was functioning says DUP

Two years spent trying to deal with the NI Protocol while Stormont was functioning was “two years squandered,” according to the DUP.

Following a meeting with a US congressional delegation in Belfast, Gordon Lyons said previous commitments made by the UK Government “must now be turned into action” if the NI Assembly is to be restored.

The East Antrim MLA and former economy minister also restated the DUP’s position that its powersharing boycott will continue until the trade border in the Irish Sea is removed.

“This was a useful briefing where we emphasised that there is no solid basis for an executive and assembly until the Protocol is replaced with arrangements that unionists can support,” Mr Lyons said.

"Northern Ireland’s place in the UK internal market must be restored and our constitutional arrangements must be respected.

“We operate powersharing not majority rule. Powersharing can only work with the consent of unionists and nationalists. Not one unionist MLA supports the protocol.

“We published our seven tests more than twelve months ago so that Brussels and London could understand what was needed. Those tests were based on promises made by the government to the people of Northern Ireland but were never delivered.”

Mr Lyons was accompanied by colleagues Emma Little Pengelly MLA and Phillip Brett MLA.

In a statement, Mr Lyons added: “The government has made commitments both in New Decade New Approach and in the House of Commons, these must now be turned into actions.

"We tried to deal with the protocol for two years whilst devolution was functioning but no action was taken. This was time that was squandered.

“Deal with the Protocol and then Stormont can be restored.”

After the Stormont meeting, leader of the US delegation Congressman Bill Keating tweeted: “Grateful to @niassembly Speaker Alex Maskey for hosting us at Stormont. As we approach the 25th Anniversary of the Belfast / Good Friday Agreement, we shared our hope that we will soon see a restoration of power-sharing institutions in NI & a resumption of work in this chamber.”