Mr Robinson said,
"Sinn Fein, the Alliance Party, the SDLP and the Green Party were demanding "rigorous implementation" of the Northern Ireland Protocol when we were seeking a better deal. Whilst many of the Protocol cheerleaders were happy to support its constitutional damage and paid no attention to the significant economic difficulties caused.
That diversion to trade brings more cost and less choice for consumers with a total cost to the Northern Ireland economy of £850 million per year. Alongside their calls for consumers to be punished with rigorous implementation, there was also the constant refrain that the Protocol could not be changed. Singing from the EU's hymn-sheet, they told us there would be no renegotiation, and that any problems were just wrinkles that needed to be ironed out. Their loyalty to EU outweighed everything, even loyalty to their own constituents.
Despite playing catch up, they should now join us in standing up for everyone in Northern Ireland and getting a better deal for the people who live, work and raise their families here.
Far from the Brussels bluster, we know that the conditions for the UK to trigger Article 16 were met some time ago. Even on the Protocol's on terms it has failed. The EU have now finally come back to the negotiating table. The proposals represent the first step rather than the destination.
The focus must now be on the intensive negotiations which are to come. Northern Ireland's place within the UK must be respected and protected. The Government has already previously pledged to secure this and whether through this process or through legislation that must be the end result.”