Following his meeting with Tánaiste Leo Varadkar, Ulster Unionist Party Leader, Doug Beattie MC MLA said:

“Today, along with Lord Empey, I met with Tánaiste Leo Varadkar who is in Northern Ireland to meet party leaders. The conversation covered a number of topics including the effects of COVID, particularly on tourism on both sides of the border. We discussed legacy, our belief that the Irish Government should do more on this issue and reiterated our opposition to any form of amnesties. The meeting was good natured, friendly and productive.

“We spent time talking about the Ireland/Northern Ireland Protocol. We pointed out the negative effects the protocol is having on community relations and the fine balance of the Belfast Agreement. We also acknowledged that for some businesses access to both the EU and the UK single markets was extremely positive, but checks were having clearly detrimental effects on other businesses.

“We pointed out that we believe that the UK Command Paper published in July had many positive aspects contained within it and should be viewed as a template for a way forward. We also promised to send the Tánaiste a copy of our own revised proposals that use the Belfast Agreement as a means of dealing with both the trade issues contained within the protocol and the democratic deficit.

“As ever the Ulster Unionist Party do not just complain about problems and difficulties. Instead we continue to look for solutions in order to play a positive part in getting rid of the protocol. This requires replacing it with something that can be transformational for Northern Ireland, maintains our place within the United Kingdom and protects the EU single market. It is achievable if the will is there.”