One week after the election, the Democratic Unionist Party has threatened to paralyze Northern Ireland’s government until it resolves its concerns over the NI Protocol.
The unionists and it also claim that the Brexit deal that relates to Northern Ireland harms the economy of the country and weakens its position in the UK.
However, most politicians, including Sinn Fein who won the election to become Ireland’s largest party, support the protocol being kept in place.
Sinn Fein accused Sir Jeffrey Donaldson, DUP leader, of holding the society hostage.
What do the people of Belfast think about the protocol?
Gordon Esler supports the protocol. He wants Northern Ireland to remain within the UK. However, he feels that the DUP shouldn’t use it to excuse itself from entering government.
“Northern Ireland, part of Great Britain, is British so why would we need a border in [Irish] waters?” He said.
“The majority of Europeans opted out so we should all be out, no arguing. It is raising prices right now, as you can see.
“I would love to see them go into the assembly, because look at what the health service is at the moment. They could use a lot more help.”
Gillian Brown stated that protocol was not the most important issue for politicians to address at the moment.
She said, “They’re squabbling over it and I just think there is more important things that the protocol,”
“I am more concerned about getting our healthcare up-and-running, our education, and dealing with the mental illness crisis and poverty we are living in.”
Ms Brown stated that a resolution was necessary to ensure that politicians return to Stormont.
She said that people are still waiting for surgery. “Our nurses and doctors have been through the most horrible time. It’s only going to get worse.”
“We also have the cost of living crisis. I don’t get paid if I don’t show up for work, but they still get their paychecks if they do.
Esther Robinson called the talks about the protocol an “absolute loss of time” and stated that a solution must be found soon.
She said, “The whole thing’s a lot of nonsense.”
Robinson said that if politicians continue to disagree on the issue, people would suffer.
“People are already suffering. She said that she believes they will continue to suffer and that young people will want to leave.
“I want my daughter out of the country. It’s getting absurd. There’s no future for anyone if it continues.”
Another issue with the protocol is awareness of its nature and effects.
Grainne McMullan stated that she didn’t really get it.
She said, “Truthfully, I don’t even have a clue. I really don’t understand what it means.”
“More needs to be done to increase awareness and explain what it means for ordinary people.”
