Sinn Féin Stormont leader Michelle O’Neill has said that Taoiseach Micheál Martin has committed to using his influence to smoothen the implementation of the protocol.
Ms O’Neill made the comments after a discussion with the Taoiseach in Government Buildings in Dublin ahead of British Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s meetings with political leaders in Northern Ireland later today.
The Mid Ulster MLA said that she and the Taoiseach discussed “all pressing political developments”, the stalemate at the Northern Ireland Assembly over the protocol in particular.
“He’s also on the same page in terms of the need to find ways to smooth the implementation of the protocol, but for that to be done jointly between the EU and the British Government.
“He will use his office to bring his influence to bear on that.”
Writing in the Belfast Telegraph, Mr Johnson suggested that the protocol would remain but would be changed.
He said the protocol had been negotiated in “good faith”, adding that “those who want to scrap the protocol, rather than seeking changes, are focusing on the wrong thing”.
Met with An Taoiseach at government buildings this morning. Shared priority to have a functioning Assembly & Executive without delay. The democratic outcome of the election must be respected. People cannot wait a day longer for parties to get to work on their behalf. pic.twitter.com/1KzeZInVdo
— Michelle O’Neill (@moneillsf) May 16, 2022
Ms O’Neill said that Mr Johnson and the Conservative Party had been “shoring up the DUP’s bad behaviour” in relation to the protocol, and that a “pep talk” from the British premier was not needed.
“I think all efforts and all attentions need to be turned to negotiated solutions, agreed solutions, find ways to smooth the implementation of the protocol because it is here to stay, and I think that’s an objective that both I and the Taoiseach share.”
Met @moneillsf today in Government Buildings.
— Micheál Martin (@MichealMartinTD) May 16, 2022
We agreed on importance of getting NI Assembly and Executive up and running quickly.
Issues relating to the Protocol can and must be solved through EU and UK discussions, and unilateral action avoided. pic.twitter.com/EeOTOpt93k
A government statement released after the Taoiseach’s meeting said that the Assembly “being impeded from sitting and doing its business is in nobody’s interests”.
The statement said both Mr Martin and Ms O’Neill “expressed serious concern about possible unilateral moves on the protocol by the British Government, which would have a destabilising impact on Northern Ireland”.
“Only agreed outcomes will provide the stability and certainty that Northern Ireland needs,” the statement said.
