UUP Leader Doug Beattie MC MLA said:

“I don’t believe the sitting of the Assembly will achieve anything other than straining relations further.  The Ulster Unionist Party will be there, but we know that the DUP will not allow a Speaker to be elected and business will conclude.  So, the onus is still on the Secretary of State to act to prevent further delay to the organ donation legislation.

“I find this situation deeply frustrating.  We are seeing issues now starting to pile up while Stormont remains idle.  The impact this will have in people’s everyday lives will only grow.  We need to see devolution restored urgently. 

“I remain in disagreement with the DUP that the Protocol is best dealt with by boycotting Stormont.  We need to see the Protocol replaced as it also has a growing impact in people’s everyday lives and on Northern Ireland’s place within the United Kingdom.  But I do not think Unionism is stronger for allowing the same people who agreed to the Protocol to negotiate over our heads.  We would be better for having Unionist MLAs and Ministers using the platform the Assembly and Executive provides to put pressure on the Government.”