LAST UPDATE | 15 Mar 2023

DUP LEADER JEFFREY Donaldson has said that while Windsor Framework “goes some way in addressing” his party’s concerns, there is still “more work to do”. 

It comes after Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said that while it is “very important” to listen to the concerns of the DUP, there are five Northern parties to consider, two communities and “three blocs” of opinion – meaning the UK, EU and Ireland.

Speaking in Washington, Donaldson said that Northern Ireland has “only ever made progress when unionists and nationalists have moved forward together”.

“Unionism rejected the NI Protocol from day one. It took others time to realise and recognise our objections. Whilst the Windsor Framework goes some way in addressing our concerns, there is still more work to do.”

He also said he found it “incredible” that Sinn Féin was running advertisements in US newspapers calling on the US Government to “hold the British Government fully accountable to its Good Friday Agreement commitments”. 

The DUP leader also reiterated comments he made yesterday, stating that the Windsor Framework “does not deal with some of the fundamental problems at the heart of our current difficulties” and that “key areas of concern” remain which require further clarification, re-working and change.

“A key flaw in trying to proceed with the unworkable NI Protocol was the absolute disregard for unionist objections. Northern Ireland has never made progress if one side is trying to ride roughshod over the views of the other side. Mutual respect is the only route forward,” he continued.

“This week I have been emphasising the need for us to move forward together and secure a solution to the NI Protocol which outlives us all. A solution which can not only lead to a restoration of Stormont but can cement devolved government for the next generation.

“Whilst some seem focused on the last 25 years, my focus is on the next 25 years.”

Responding to Donaldson’s comments yesterday, Downing Street said British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s Windsor Framework agreement is the “best deal available” for Northern Ireland.

Sunak and the EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen unveiled the new framework last month to replace the protocol which had led the DUP to collapse the Stormont powersharing institutions.

The latest deal seeks to remove post-Brexit trade barriers, creating a new system for the flow of goods into Northern Ireland.

The DUP, which is currently boycotting the Stormont powersharing institutions, has set up a panel to study the new framework against its seven tests before reaching a collective conclusion.

Speaking on the first day of a visit to Washington, the Taoiseach said the DUP has sought “clarifications” but in his view, the Windsor Framework is really good agreement that took a long time to negotiate. 

“I understand that the DUP has some further questions of clarification it is seeking from the British Government. And I think it’s important that Government should engage with all five major parties in Northern Ireland, because it’s important that we hear their voice.

“We’re keen to proceed with this,” he stressed. “We think it gives Northern Ireland very significant economic advantages. And that’s a good thing. Also, crucially for us, it avoids a hard border between North and South and make sure that the European single market is protected.”

Varadkar said the British Government has said is that it would engage with all five major parties in Northern Ireland on any changes that they’re going to make to their domestic law.

Speaking yesterday, Donaldson said there had been an understandable focus on his party’s position on the agreement.

He said concerns remained for his party around the “harm” done by the protocol to Article 6 of the Acts of Union and the ability of Northern Ireland to trade with the rest of the UK.

He said protecting Northern Ireland’s place in the UK internal market remained “unfinished business” and raised concern over the continued application of EU laws in the region.

The DUP chief also said he wanted further clarity on green lane arrangements to deal with goods from registered UK businesses that are sold and destined for final consumers in Northern Ireland as well as the Stormont brake element of the framework.

Donaldson said: “We have already commenced discussions with the UK Government on a range of issues where we require further clarity and where we believe more work will be needed.

“We will continue with that engagement to ensure that we get an outcome that works and which can be considered against our seven tests.

“We want to see a return to the delicate political balance within Northern Ireland where the views of unionists are valued and respected.”

In response, a No 10 spokesman said: “We have been engaging with the DUP and other groups on the Windsor Framework, and we stand ready to discuss any further questions.

“We have said we will let MPs have a say and we are committed to a vote on it in Parliament. But, ultimately, the Prime Minister thinks this is the best deal that is available to Northern Ireland.

“This is something that the Government has been working on for a long time. It fixes the problems that we know existed in the protocol and the impact it was having on people’s everyday lives in Northern Ireland.

“We think this is the right deal.”

Related Reads

Hillary Clinton: 'I'm very optimistic about what lies ahead for Northern Ireland'

Clinton

Earlier this week, Hillary Clinton said she hopes the Windsor Framework will be progressed and that the Government in Stormont can be reestablished. 

Speaking at an event in New York on Monday evening, she said she hopes the deal will mean there can be a “move on the many issues that confront the people of Northern Ireland”. 

Clinton said the agreement “does remain a triumph of diplomacy” for both the UK and Ireland, as well as the United States.

The agreement is a “testament to the courage and determination of the people of Northern Ireland”, she added. 

“I’m very optimistic about what lies ahead for Northern Ireland and in a way the Good Friday Agreement and the example of everyone who took a deep leap of faith to negotiate it, to vote for it,” Clinton said. 

“To believe in it, is an example our world and our country needs right now, to see about what does happen when ordinary citizens come together to demand peace and then work to preserve it,” she said.

Giving an address at the same event, Tánaiste Micheál Martin said that after a difficult number of years, real progress on some key issues has been made.

“I warmly welcome the agreement in principle of the Windsor Framework. Both the EU and the UK worked incredibly hard to address the genuine concerns that had arisen from the operation of the Protocol made necessary by Brexit.

“To achieve this, both the EU and the UK reached. It is a sign of what can be achieved when we come together with genuine political will,” he added. 

Martin said with the Windsor Framework agreed, we now have an opportunity to bring “hope, energy and momentum back into politics for Northern Ireland”.

“It provides a stable set of arrangements to address the outworking of Brexit on Northern Ireland. It is time to focus attention on building a brighter future,” he said.

With reporting by Christina Finn in Washington DC