The SDLP Opposition has written to the UK and EU calling for the review of the Protocol to include the huge range of positive opportunities facing NI from its relationship with the EU, and also the challenges facing the all-island economy in areas not covered by the Protocol.

It comes as SDLP Leader Claire Hanna MP and Leader of the Opposition Matthew O’Toole MLA visited Dublin on Monday to brief a range of business groups on the party’s proposals at a roundtable hosted by Ibec.

The letter calls on the joint chairs of the UK-EU Joint Committee, Nick Thomas Symonds and Maroš Šefčovič, to use the Joint committee to focus on:

• Northern Ireland’s access to EU programmes
• Strengthening Northern Ireland’s EU representation
• Empowering businesses
• Facilitating cross-border cooperation
• Resolving trade barriers

The letter was sent following the democratic consent vote in the Assembly last Tuesday, which extends the protections of the Northern Ireland Protocol for the next four years.

SDLP Leader of the Opposition Matthew O’Toole said:

“Following the vote in the Assembly to retain the protections of the Northern Ireland Protocol/Windsor Framework, our attention must now immediately turn to the independent review of our relationship with Europe. The UK Government must move quickly in the new year to appoint a qualified expert to carry out this review, which must be broad in scope and not solely limited to the Protocol/Framework, but to this place’s entire relationship with Europe.

“We acknowledge the remaining challenges posed to this place by Brexit, businesses have been clear that they are still experiencing some difficulties and their concerns must be addressed. But we can not lose sight of the massive opportunities that are still to be realised in terms of dual market access and the unique benefits that can be realised by building a closer relationship with Europe.

“During a visit to Brussels earlier this month we outlined our priorities in our ‘Our European Future’ paper. We believe the review must focus on representation for the North in Europe, creating opportunities for our young people, funding for community and voluntary groups and increased cross-border cooperation, among many other important areas.

“Following this vote as the North’s most proudly pro-European party we will pressing the EU, UK and Irish Governments, and stakeholders across these islands to progress this review and engage with our proposals. We believe that the best future for Northern Ireland and everyone on this island lies within Europe, but whatever your views on Europe or on the constitutional future of this place we will continue this campaign in the weeks and month ahead to build a better life for everyone here.”