{"id":25027,"date":"2022-02-06T10:56:00","date_gmt":"2022-02-06T15:56:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/irishexaminerusa.com\/wp\/?p=25027"},"modified":"2022-02-07T09:00:35","modified_gmt":"2022-02-07T14:00:35","slug":"benefits-of-ni-protocol-not-being-recognized-says-taoiseach","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/irishexaminerusa.com\/wp\/?p=25027","title":{"rendered":"Benefits Of NI Protocol Not Being Recognized Says Taoiseach"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Miche\u00e1l Martin noted that unionist leaders have not called for an end to access to the EU\u2019s single market, which is facilitated by the protocol (PA Images)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The benefits of the Northern Ireland Protocol for the North are not getting the recognition they deserve, Taoiseach Miche\u00e1l Martin has said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It comes as the DUP have threatened to walk away from power-sharing if issues with the post-Brexit agreement are not resolved to their liking.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mr Martin noted that unionist leaders have not called for an end to access to the EU\u2019s single market, which is facilitated by the protocol.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhat I want to say to the unionist political leaders is, there is a deep understanding and recognition of the issues that they have raised about the protocol and how it operates,\u201d he said on Sunday.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cNo one in Northern Ireland, and I do appreciate it Jeffrey Donaldson himself has said this and Doug Beattie has said this, nobody has said that they do not want continued access to the European single market.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt will benefit Northern Ireland. I understand they need access to the United Kingdom market, of course, that\u2019s obvious.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cBut I think there are benefits and advantages to the protocol that are not getting\u2026 the recognition that it deserves.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Taoiseach also criticized the DUP for pulling down the Stormont Executive, after Paul Givan stood down as First Minister earlier this week.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The move was part of the DUP\u2019s escalating protest strategy against the post-Brexit trading arrangements.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mr Givan\u2019s resignation automatically removed Sinn F\u00e9in deputy First Minister Michelle O\u2019Neill from her position. Other Stormont ministers can remain in post but the Executive can no longer meet and is unable to take significant policy decisions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Speaking to RT\u00c9\u2019s This Week, Mr Martin said such moves cause people in the North to lose faith in the institutions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cPulling down the Executive or undermining the Executive for short-term electoral tactical purposes is not, in my view, acceptable,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThere has been this sense in Northern Ireland from since the Good Friday Agreement onwards, that we\u2019ve had the institutions operating, we\u2019ve had them suspended, on quite a number of occasions now.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cTo such an extent that people in the North have lost faith and confidence in those institutions, which is I think a great pity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThere are many politicians who want to work those institutions. I think all politicians should say, whatever happens, the Executive continues, the Assembly continues and fulfils its mandate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI think a lot of people in Northern Ireland want their politicians to fulfil their electoral mandate.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An Assembly election is already scheduled for May.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mr Givan\u2019s departure has led to speculation that the poll could be brought forward several weeks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

DUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson has suggested his party would only return to an Executive if its concerns around the post-Brexit trading arrangements are addressed.<\/p>\n

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