LISTEN: SDLP calls on unionists to dial down EU criticism

By Q Radio News

The SDLP leader has called on senior unionists to show leadership in the coming days, and dial down what he calls their anti-EU rhetoric.  

Colum Eastwood has made the direct appeal following the bloc's abandoned move to override part of the Brexit deal with Britain. 

The EU backtracked after briefly triggering Article 16 of the Northern Ireland Protocol on Friday to prevent its vaccine entering the UK through the province.

Mr. Eastwood is urging all political leaders to work together to make the protocol work.  

But Ulster Unionist MLA Doug Beattie says the Irish Sea border is an issue for everyone here from shoppers to pet owners and the military.

And he says if he has concerns, including about free movement for military personnel, he will raise them.

The Upper Bann Assembly member has been speaking to Q Radio.   

(Ulster Unionist MLA Doug Beattie).

Foyle MP Mr. Eastwood issued this statement on Monday:

“It is important in the coming days that unionist politicians show leadership and that all of us work together to make sure the Northern Ireland protocol operates effectively.  The events of Friday show the grave sensitivity around these issues and it is now vital that political leaders in Ireland, Britain and the EU focus on the way forward.”

“People here know all too well the damage that can be done from rash statements and intemperate language. I am making a direct call to unionist political leaders to refrain from such commentary and to dial-down the rhetoric which we’ve heard since Friday evening.  Some commentary and actions in recent days are among the most knee-jerk we’ve heard in many years.

"The inalienable facts are that Britain has left both the Single Market and the Customs Union. This means checks have to take place somewhere. A hard border on the island of Ireland would be totally impractical. The only solution to this is the protocol. We all need to work together, avoid all intemperate and divisive language and ensure its full implementation.”

The SDLP's Colum Eastwood with fellow MP Claire Hanna and his deputy leader Nichola Mallon. 

Ulster Unionist Justice Spokesperson Mr. Beattie has called on the NIO to face up to reality and accept that the NI Protocol has created an Irish Sea border and is the cause of varying degrees of inconvenience for everyone from shoppers to pet owners and the military.  
 
He added:

“The insistence of the Northern Ireland Office that there isn’t a border in the Irish Sea between Great Britain and Northern Ireland as a result of the Northern Ireland Protocol, has led them to first deny, then try to undermine, my concerns in regard to the military movement of equipment from Great Britain to Northern Ireland. But the fact remains that military equipment being moved within the boundaries of the United Kingdom must go through customs controls.

“This is not hype or exaggeration as stated by some political leaders seemingly trying to belittle anyone with a concern. It is simply not acceptable that any time unionists raise concerns about the sea border they are summarily dismissed, often by the very same people and parties who were so exercised about their own concerns at what might result if any physical infrastructure was proposed on the land border."

Mr. Beattie continued:

“Unless the UK Government sees sense, the Northern Ireland Protocol may well be here until the Assembly can vote if down in 2024. That does not – and will not - stop the Ulster Unionist Party highlighting its insidious effects on the United Kingdom. It needs to be replaced with a better and workable option, but in the meantime the list of derogations needs to grow from pet travel to medicine control, to the movement of foodstuffs to military equipment.”