The Strangford MLA said, "The threat posed to Northern Ireland from the Northern Ireland Protocol is not just constitutional, but economic. The economic hardship faced by people and businesses here is in addition to the fact it is undermining the platform upon which political progress has been built here.
Even judged on its own terms the Northern Ireland Protocol has failed. This has been evident for a long time, even when Michelle O'Neill was joining the SDLP and Alliance Party leaders to demand its "rigorous implementation". Even now instead of dealing with realities, Sinn Fein continue to peddle myths about peace funding.
Northern Ireland endured three years without any decisions being taken because of Sinn Fein's demands. As recently as June Michelle O'Neill's party were again threatening to force an election on the issue of Irish language legislation. No-one will ever take lectures on responsible government from Sinn Fein.
Sinn Fein regularly tell us that agreements must be honoured. That is all that we ask too. The New Decade New Approach agreement was the basis for the restoration of devolution in 2020 and it contains a clear commitment on legislation to restore and protect Northern Ireland's place within the UK internal market.
If Sinn Fein want to demonstrate a commitment to responsible politics then they should call for the UK Government to legislate in this area. They could also join in calling for substantive engagement between the UK and the EU to find the solutions which are necessary for both political and economic stability here."
