![Pinterest](https://pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=https://uknews.evprotec.com/stormont-resolve-protocol-issues-to-avoid-election/&media=https://uknews.evprotec.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/127426037_gettyimages-1240912868.jpg&description=Image source, Getty Images The government should focus on negotiations with the EU over the Northern Ireland Protocol instead of calling an election, Sir Jeffrey Donaldson has said.The Democratic Unionist Party leader told Sky News there had been "little focus" on dealing with the trade deal due to the Westminster "chaos".The party has refused to enter into power-sharing due to the protocol.Sinn Féin's Michelle O'Neill accused the DUP of hiding behind the protocol.Northern Ireland is on course for an assembly election after politicians missed the deadline set by Westminster for restoring devolved government.Chris Heaton-Harris, the Northern Ireland secretary, now must call an election to be held within 12 weeks.He said he would give more information next week and would be meeting the parties in the meantime.Sir Jeffrey told Sky's Sophy Ridge that a new election would not resolve the deadlock and restore devolved government.The protocol is part of the UK-EU Brexit deal which keeps Northern Ireland aligned with some EU trade rules.This was designed to ensure goods could move freely across the Irish land border, from the UK into an EU member state, the Republic of Ireland.However, it also creates a new trade border between Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK, something the EU accepts is causing difficulties for many businesses.The DUP says the protocol has undermined Northern Ireland's position within the UK and the party collapsed the Northern Ireland Executive, similar to the UK cabinet, in February.An election in May saw Sinn Féin become the first nationalist party to win the most seats in the Northern Ireland Assembly.Image source, Liam McBurneyAlso speaking to Sky News, Ms O'Neill said it was not lost on the wider public that the DUP did not like the election results and they had "difficulty" forming a government."The DUP hide behind the issues of the protocol," she said."What I want to see in the time ahead is very mature, sensible political discussion betwee){kind=link}
The government should focus on negotiations with the EU over the Northern Ireland Protocol instead of calling an election, Sir Jeffrey Donaldson has said.
The Democratic Unionist Party leader told Sky News there had been “little focus” on dealing with the trade deal due to the Westminster “chaos”.
The party has refused to return to power-sharing due to the protocol.
Sinn Fein’s Michelle O’Neill accused the DUP of hiding behind the protocol.
Northern Ireland is on course for an election after politicians missed the deadline set by Westminster for restoring devolved government, the Northern Ireland Assembly.