Poots: Removing NI Protocol Is Top Priority The incoming DUP leader has said getting rid of the Northern Ireland Protocol will be his top priority in the coming months.
Edwin Poots is planning to meet with Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Taoiseach Michael Martin within to try and resolve the post-Brexit trade arrangements.
He also told the Sunday Life newspaper that he will not attend north-south ministerial meetings until the protocol issue is resolved.
Mr Poots defeated the DUP s Westminster leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson in the battle to replace Arlene Foster.
In an exclusive interview with the newspaper he said: For me, this is not a unionist issue. This is a Northern Ireland issue. At the end of the grace period we are looking at 15,000 checks being applied on goods coming into Northern Ireland from Great Britain.
“These figures are very concerning.
“This issue has the potential to seriously impact on students in higher education.
“Preventing attendance at classes, work placements, and even examinations could seriously hamper an individual’s chances of successful completion of their course.
“The negative impact that the Covid-19 pandemic has had on the local economy has also disproportionately impacted on the types of jobs that students tend to work in while studying, thereby creating an even higher risk of period poverty.
“This is further amplified by the fact that students who would have been reliant on products being made available by schools, colleges and universities will have lost this access during the past year due to institutional closures.
Appeal Issued To Find Two Brothers From North Belfast Police have issued an appeal to find two boys from north Belfast who have been missing since Friday, 14 MAy.
Patrick Hovarth, aged five, and his brother Fabricio, aged 8, were last seen getting into a back Ford car in the Limestone Road area on Friday evening.
The PSNI are becoming increasingly concerned for their safety and may be in the company of a relative.
nspector Phil McCullagh said: We are keen to know that both boys are safe and well. We believe they may be in the company of a relative in Northern Ireland or possibly in Ireland – and so I would appeal to that person to get in touch with police as soon as possible on 101.
Doug Beattie Deemed Elected As New UUP Leader Doug Beattie has been deemed elected as the new leader of the Ulster Unionist Party (UUP).
The Upper Bann Assembly member will succeed Steve Aiken in the role after it was confirmed he was the only candidate to put his name forward for election.
Party chair Danny Kennedy told a Stormont press conference that Mr Beattie, 55, was therefore deemed elected, subject to ratification by the party council on 27 May.
Mr Beattie, who served as a soldier for 34 years and was awarded the Military Cross for bravery in combat, promised a progressive and unifying agenda.
Beautiful waterfalls to visit in Northern Ireland during your summer staycation
Some hidden gems!
Cranny Falls (Image: @thehunterbros)
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There is an abundance of beautiful places to go and see in Northern Ireland. This makes staycations here brilliant as you will never run out new places to visit.