Time For Lockhart to End Brexit Spin – O’Dowd

Sinn Féin MLA John O’Dowd has said that the most recent report by Manufacturing NI highlights the biggest concern for manufacturers is access to workers and not the Protocol, as our local MP Carla Lockhart would have us believe.

The report highlights the priority in the current negotiations must be on finding practical solutions to ensure the Protocol works more effectively and that moving forward we need to see a greater focus on the opportunities of the protocol. 

Mr O’Dowd said:

“The latest Manufacturing NI report has confirmed that the biggest problem currently facing manufacturers is a shortage of workers.

“The proportion of manufacturers experiencing problems with implementing the protocol has reduced significantly, with almost two thirds saying the protocol is here to stay and needs to be made to work better. 

“While over 40% of respondents want the Executive to secure new opportunities through the protocol. 

“The priority in the current negotiations between the British government and the EU must be on finding practical solutions to ensure the protocol works more effectively. 

“Carla Lockhart as MP for Upper Bann should have a greater focus on the opportunities of the protocol and a strategy to maximise the potential of businesses in Upper Bann continued access to the EU single market as well as the British market. 

” Brexit – a policy supported by the DUP – has created significant problems in terms of access to labour with the end of freedom of movement and the strict immigration regime being implemented by the British government.

“In addition, as a result of Brexit, the department for the economy has lost vital EU funding for skills and training.

“It is time for the DUP and Carla Lockhart to join with the rest of us in promoting the opportunities for job creation that now exist instead of threatening to tear down the intuitions  for a cause that has no basis in reality. 

ENDS