SDLP Leader of the Opposition Matthew O’Toole MLA has said that the independent review of the Windsor Framework must include the opportunities around Northern Ireland’s relationship with Europe.

He was speaking after Secretary of State Hilary Benn appointed Lord Murphy to lead the review.

South Belfast MLA Mr O’Toole said:

"We welcome the fact that someone with the experience of Paul Murphy has been appointed to this role but his approach to this review must be fundamentally different to the clandestine bilateral Tory-DUP dialogue pursued by the previous Government.

"As the SDLP outlined in its paper, Our European Future, we need to look at the huge range of opportunities from our unique position in relation to Europe. We will be telling Lord Murphy that the best way to build trust and confidence in the arrangements is to maximise the positive benefits, whether via selling the potential of dual market access, increasing our voice in the European Parliament or leveraging new investment via the European Investment Bank.

"We also need to see the review focus not just on the east-west movement of goods but on the huge range of disruptions to the all-island economy which are not covered by he Protocol, including this week's introduction of the Electronic Travel Authorisation scheme which could have serious implications for our tourism industry.

"The SDLP has already brought these proposals to Brussels and Dublin and intends to campaign relentlessly on these ideas in the weeks ahead."