DUP leader Jeffrey Robinson criticizes the UK Government’s decision not to activate the Stormont brake, warning of negative impacts on trade.
Belfast: So, Jeffrey Robinson, the DUP leader, is really upset about the UK Government not activating the Stormont brake. He thinks it’s a big mistake that could hurt trade.
He pointed out that the new EU rules on chemical labeling could raise costs for local manufacturers and create more trade barriers. That’s not good news for Northern Ireland.
On the flip side, First Minister Michelle O’Neill believes it’s time for everyone to work together to sort out these post-Brexit trade issues. She’s all about finding practical solutions.
The Northern Ireland Secretary, Hilary Benn, announced that the brake wouldn’t be pulled over the new EU rules. He said the conditions just weren’t met.
Robinson is really pushing back, saying the government ignored evidence from industry experts about how these changes would affect trade. He’s worried it’ll make things tougher for businesses.
He mentioned that trade in chemicals between Great Britain and Northern Ireland is worth about £1 billion a year. That’s a lot of money at stake!
O’Neill also pointed out that the government should have consulted on these issues before making decisions. She’s calling for a more collaborative approach.
When asked about the situation, she emphasized the need for politicians to find reasonable ways to tackle these challenges as they come up.
She noted that the uncertainty in trade is a result of Northern Ireland being taken out of Europe, which wasn’t what people wanted.
Alliance Party’s Eoin Tennyson said the Stormont brake should only be used in special cases. He believes the UK and EU need to work together to address these issues early on.
Ulster Unionist MLA Steve Ailken criticized the brake, saying it’s already failed. He thinks the government needs to pay attention to the growing trade issues.
SDLP leader Matthew O’Toole called the brake a distraction. He wants the government to focus on finding a lasting solution that benefits Northern Ireland.
TUV leader Jim Allister went even further, saying the decision not to activate the brake should lead to a breakdown in Stormont. He feels it’s a slap in the face for democrats.
