Sir Jeffrey said,
"It is now a week since the Windsor Framework was published.
In broad terms it is clear that significant progress has been secured across a number of areas whilst also recognising there remain key issues of concern. There can be no disguising the fact that in some sectors of our economy EU law remains applicable in Northern Ireland.
Since the imposition of that Protocol many, including the Government, the European Union and indeed those early cheerleaders for it in Northern Ireland have come to recognise that it could not have been made to work, had upset the delicate political balance in Northern Ireland and was not supported by the Unionist community in Northern Ireland.
Our judgement and our principled position in opposing the Protocol in Parliament and at Stormont has been vindicated. Undoubtedly it is now recognised that the Protocol does not work. When others said there would be no re-negotiation and no change our determination has proved what can be achieved.
The DUP is now engaged in a detailed study of what has been published as well as examining the detail of the legal texts published to date. Clearly further legal text remains to be published to give effect to some of the changes already secured.
We have already commenced discussions with the UK Government on a range of issues where we require further clarity and where we believe more work will be needed.
During our Assembly election campaign we indicated that the Protocol must be replaced with new arrangements that are able to command broad support in Northern Ireland and which respect Northern Ireland’s place within the United Kingdom.
Today I have established a group to commence and undertake a wide consultation process within Northern Ireland, listening and taking views on the Framework document. This work will be undertaken in parallel with our on-going engagement with the UK Government.
The group will comprise both members of our party as well as independent thinkers who have standing within the broader community. They will want to engage with a broad section of the unionist and loyalist community, the business sector, civic society and others who want to see Northern Ireland prosper within the Union.
The consultation group will comprise a mix of those who have political, legal and business experience. The consultation group will include Ms Carla Lockhart MP, Lord Weir of Ballyholme BL, Right Honourable Mr Peter Robinson, Baroness Foster of Aghadrumsee DBE, Mr Ross Reed OBE, Mr Brian Kingston MLA, Mr John McBurney LL.B, and Mrs Deborah Erskine MLA.
The group will work independently and will provide me with a report by the end of March.
History teaches us that it is always better to get the right outcome for Northern Ireland rather than a rushed one.
The Group can be contacted at [email protected]
