{"id":26572,"date":"2022-06-20T12:10:38","date_gmt":"2022-06-20T16:10:38","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/irishexaminerusa.com\/wp\/?p=26572"},"modified":"2022-06-20T12:10:39","modified_gmt":"2022-06-20T16:10:39","slug":"oneill-uk-governments-plans-to-ditch-ni-protocol-sounded-alarm-bells-in-eu-and-usa","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/irishexaminerusa.com\/wp\/?p=26572","title":{"rendered":"O’Neill: UK Government’s Plans To Ditch NI Protocol ‘Sounded Alarm Bells’ In EU And USA"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Michelle O’Neill speaking at Bodenstown cemetery, Co Kildare (PA)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Michelle O\u2019Neill has warned that the British government\u2019s plan to enact legislation to scrap the Northern Ireland Protocol will have \u201ccolossal political and economic consequences\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Sinn F\u00e9in Stormont leader said Boris Johnson\u2019s plan to override parts of the protocol has \u201csounded alarm bells\u201d across Europe and America.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Speaking at the annual Wolfe Tone commemoration in Bodenstown, Co Kildare, the first minister designate told the crowd that it was an \u201cirrefutable fact\u201d that the protocol is working.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cBoris Johnson is incapable of accepting in a straightforward, honest and truthful way that this is the case,\u201d Ms O\u2019Neill added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe attempts this week by Boris Johnson to sabotage the protocol in plain sight have sounded the alarm bells right across Ireland, Britain, Europe and America, awakening all those who value the Good Friday Agreement and who care deeply about safeguarding our peace and progress of the past quarter-century.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt is not taken lightly that this British government discards international law at a whim in such a reckless way, and only ever in their own selfish interests.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cBoris Johnson knows that to gamble the protocol is to jeopardize the British Government\u2019s agreement with the EU on their withdrawal and future trading relationship with colossal political and economic impact.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe Tories have no mandate on this island. However, a majority of those MLAs recently elected do and there is a majority in the Assembly who support the protocol because it is working, giving us continued access to the European single market, creating jobs and economic benefit.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ms O\u2019Neill called for all Northern Ireland to re-enter the EU and said the Irish Government \u201cmust plan for constitutional change\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe need re-entry back into the EU for all of Ireland,\u201d she added. \u201cWe need an Irish national health service, free at the point of entry. We need to tackle the climate crisis on our island. We need to end the duplication of public services.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe need to maximize the full economic potential and opportunities for everyone who shares this island.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cFor many people the frustration, impatience and urgency for change is growing. There is a direct challenge and responsibility on the Irish Government of the day to plan for constitutional change.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIn order to avoid the dangers, jeopardy and pitfalls of the Brexit referendum in Britain.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ms O\u2019Neill also told the crowd that Sinn F\u00e9in\u2019s recent success at the Northern Ireland Assembly elections reflects the \u201cchanging public attitudes\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sinn F\u00e9in is the largest party in the Northern Ireland Assembly for the first time, winning 27 seats.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The DUP has blocked the establishment of a new ministerial executive following last month\u2019s Assembly election in protest at the protocol, which has created economic barriers between Northern Ireland and Britain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ms O\u2019Neill repeated her calls to the DUP to form an Executive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIrrespective of religious, political or social backgrounds, our commitment is to make politics work through partnership, co-operation and delivery working with others who want progress,\u201d Ms O\u2019Neill added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cSinn F\u00e9in wants to work together with others to deliver for people. We are ready to form an Executive now.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe need to put over \u00a3400 million into people\u2019s pockets to help deal with the cost of living, and an extra \u20ac1 billion into the health service to reduce waiting lists, support cancer and mental health services, and recruit more doctors and nurses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWorkers and families are struggling. They need our help.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe DUP need to stop blocking an Executive, so we can give people that help right away.\u201d<\/p>\n

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