According to a report, at the opening of business on Monday, the speaker of the northern Ireland assembly said that he had no contact with the northern Ireland office about ending the assembly’s mandate at an early stage which would see an earlier election than planned. Reportedly, sinn fein’s deputy first minister replied that there was a wide range of legislation to get through, mentioning bills on climate change, organ donation, integrated education and more. According to the report, she did not mention northern Ireland protocol or call for an early election.
According to a report, northern Ireland protocol is still a selling point to investors looking at the region. Reportedly, a spokesman for OCO Global investment advisors said it was his belief that the business community did not take the dup’s view. According to the report, business groups have said that the dual market access to the uk and eu single market afforded by the protocol is a big economic opportunity. Reportedly, OCO global said, the loss of £100 million in eu funding and a decision to hold a review concerning its future represented bigger risks to investment in northern Ireland.