UUP Leader Doug Beattie MC MLA said:

“I had meetings today with Simon Coveney and subsequently Maroš Šefčovič to discuss the ongoing problems with the NI Protocol ahead of the next meeting of the Joint Committee.  As Unionists we believe in more engagement, not less.  It is important that we make our case and that we take our concerns on the Protocol wherever they need to be heard.

“It is clear what we are seeing is a last push for something positive from the Joint Committee next week.  For our part we were very clear that we need to see movement on the issue of stopping checks on goods that are coming into Northern Ireland from Great Britain and staying here.  The border in the Irish Sea will continue to undermine the Belfast Agreement until this issue is dealt with. 

“We will continue to engage until we see the Protocol replaced.  Unionists can win the argument on the Protocol without bringing down the institutions or creating instability.”