Ulster Unionist MEP, Jim Nicholson, has questioned what the UK Government and Northern Ireland Executive intend to do to protect jobs and stabilise the markets in the short term, following the EU Referendum result.

Jim Nicholson MEP said:

"The people of the United Kingdom have spoken and now is the time for Northern Ireland and the country as a whole to come together, not least as two nations of the United Kingdom, and a substantial numbers of voters opted for Remain.  I am disappointed by the result, but I respect it - we have much more in common than divides us and the task facing us is now to implement this outcome in the best way possible.

"Throughout the campaign those advocating Brexit gave no clear or unified vision as to what Leave looks like and as we can see the markets are reacting to the uncertainty associated with the referendum result.

"Make no mistake, as the process to negotiate new arrangements unfolds we are in unchartered territory, politically and economically. What will the UK Government, and locally the NI Executive, do to protect jobs and stabilise the markets in the short term as the nature of our exit is thrashed out? In the longer term what will be put in place to ensure our farmers are supported and that agri-food and businesses in general will not face barriers to trade?

"We owe it to our voluntary and community sector, our agri-food industry, those involved in projects reliant on EU financing and our economy as a whole to get the best possible deal as we go forward as the decision to leave the EU is implemented.

"Already producers locally will be waking up to the news that, as predicted, the value of the Pound has dropped significantly. These uncertainties will, I fear, continue at least in the short term.

"We are a great country. It is now up to all those of us who believe in the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland to fight to hold our country together."