Northern Ireland

DUP Stormont committee boycott over protocol labelled 'childish and embarrassing'

Colin McGrath described the DUP's boycott as 'childish and embarrassing'
Colin McGrath described the DUP's boycott as 'childish and embarrassing' Colin McGrath described the DUP's boycott as 'childish and embarrassing'

THE DUP has been criticised for snubbing a Stormont committee meeting as part of its plan to undermine the Irish Sea border.

The assembly's Executive Committee yesterday heard from MPs, as well as TDs and senators from the Republic's Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement.

But committee chairman Colin McGrath said he had been informed that members of the DUP would not be attending the segment of the meeting dealing with Brexit and the protocol, which has led to regulatory checks on goods arriving from Britain.

A DUP spokesman said the party had outlined its opposition to the protocol last week and was taking steps accordingly.

The absent MLAs were Christopher Stalford, Trevor Clarke and George Robinson, with the latter two joining the meeting later.

However, while the DUP's five-point plan last week aimed at disrupting the protocol urged unionist unity, yesterday's meeting was attended by UUP MLA Doug Beattie.

The sole unionist representative in attendance described the DUP's boycott as "their decision".

But the Upper Bann representative warned that the protocol was causing problems that "cannot be batted away and ignored" and could lead to the "unravelling of a lot of good work over many years by many good people".

Mr McGrath described the DUP's action as "childish" and "embarrassing".

"While the DUP sit on their hands, all of the other political parties welcomed an important opportunity to engage across this island on the issue of the Irish protocol, finding solutions that matter to our businesses and communities," he said.

“If the last year has taught us anything, people want their politicians to turn up and work constructively to find solutions to issues that matter."

Sinn Féin MP Michelle Gildernew said the DUP "failed to show up to represent their constituents".

"We will continue to work across the island to support businesses and traders and to build on the special status afforded to the north by the protocol," she said.

Senator Niall Blaney said: "Like others, I am disappointed that the DUP have decided not to partake."

Meanwhile, Ulster Unionist leader Steve Aiken has written to the four other executive party leaders proposing a joint representation to the British government and European Commission that would "send a united message that the Northern Ireland Protocol is not working".

The South Antrim MLA claimed there was widespread agreement that the protocol "isn’t working" but a breadth of opinion on the seriousness of the problems.

He said for Michael Gove and EU Vice-President Maroš Šef?ovi? to make decisions on the protocol without consulting the executive parties would be a "mistake" and a "dereliction of the UK and EU Commission's responsibilities".

"If both the EU Commission and the UK government are indeed serious about defending the Belfast Agreement, consulting with those who will be impacted most, should be an acceptable and reasonable request," Mr Aiken said.