Sinn Féin MLA Declan McAleer has said farmers, businesses, traders, retailers and workers need certainty over the implementation of the protocol, not political stunts. 

Declan McAleer said: 

“The move by Agriculture Minister Gordon Lyons over ports at the weekend is nothing short of a political stunt. 

“It is Executive policy to implement the protocol and ministers are duty bound to fulfil their responsibilities to implement it. 

“This is an important issue and our farmers, businesses, traders, retailers and workers need certainty on this issue and that will not be provided through stunts. 

“Checks are continuing at the ports and will not be stopped by this intervention. 

“I have tabled a Matter of the Day on this to the Assembly today to give MLAs an opportunity to raise their concerns. 

“I have also received confirmation that, following my request, the DAERA permanent secretary, chief vet and the head of Brexit contingency management will attend the Agriculture committee this week to discuss this move. 

“What is needed now is certainty to allow trade to continue, not political stunts.”