Lords Committee hears from UUP and DUP leaders on the impact of the Protocol

From 3.10pm on Wednesday 8 June the Committee will hear from Doug Beattie MLA, Leader of the Ulster Unionist Party, and Sir Jeffrey Donaldson MP, Leader of the Democratic Unionist Party.

These sessions follow on from 5 May Northern Ireland Assembly elections, and the Government’s subsequent announcement of its intention to bring forward legislation to deal with the perceived negative impact of the Protocol.

The Committee previously heard evidence from the SDLP, the Alliance Party and Sinn Féin at its meeting on Wednesday 25 May 2022.

This evidence session will take place in Committee Room 2 and will be available to watch live on Parliamentlive.tv.

On Wednesday 8 June the Committee will hear from:

3:10pm - Doug Beattie MLA, Leader of the Ulster Unionist Party
4:10pm - Sir Jeffrey Donaldson MP, Leader of the Democratic Unionist Party

Possible question topics include:

• Both party’s positions in relation to the Protocol
• Assessment of the economic, political and social impact of the Protocol, and evolving community attitudes towards it
• Reactions to the UK Government’s announcement of its intention to “introduce legislation in the coming weeks to make changes to the Protocol”
• Whether the EU’s proposals to modify the Protocol go far enough
  
  

Notes to editors:

1. The Sub-Committee on the Protocol on Ireland/Northern Ireland was appointed by the European Affairs Committee in April 2021.
2. The Committee’s introductory report was published in July 2021.
3. The Committee has launched a follow-up inquiry and published a call for evidence, inviting responses by 6 June 2022.
4. The committee’s work can be followed on its website and via Twitter
5. The committee is chaired by Lord Jay of Ewelme. To arrange interviews or other media activity please contact: Louise Shewey sheweyl@parliament.uk / 020 7219 1692