Sinn Fein’s deputy leader has said progress is being made in talks between the British Government and European Union on the NI Protocol.
Michelle O’Neill was speaking after her and party president Mary Lou McDonald met British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and Secretary of State Chris Heaton-Harris for talks a 15 minute meeting at a hotel on the outskirts of Belfast for an update on progress between the UK and EU.
There is speculation a UK/EU deal could be announced as early as next week.
In a tweet after the meeting, Ms O’Neill said: “It’s clear that good progress is being made to achieve a joint Protocol deal.
“No hard border; protection of the GFA & access to the single market critical.
“Keep what works, smooth what doesn’t.
“The Executive must get up and running without delay to deliver for workers & families.”
A DUP delegation had an hour long meeting with British Ministers and their officials at the five-star Culloden Hotel.
After the meeting, DUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson said some progress had been made but work still needed to be done.
Said Sir Jeffrey: “Clearly this is a big moment.”
“The next generation of Northern Ireland and its people requires us all, I think, collectively to use our best efforts – particularly the prime minister and the European Commission president – to get these issues resolved and to get to a place where the political institutions can be restored.”
He said clarity around deal has “been welcomed” and they await the final text of the deal before making a final decision on the NI Protocol.
Following today’s meetings with all the main parties, the Prime Minister flew out of Belfast for a busy weekend of talks.
He will travel to Munich for a security summit, during which he will meet the European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.
This meeting is currently planned for Saturday.
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