![Pinterest](https://pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=https://uknews.evprotec.com/race-against-time-to-strike-northern-ireland-protocol-deal/&media=https://uknews.evprotec.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/TELEMMGLPICT000314294393_trans_NvBQzQNjv4BqZxvTprlEHrI3f5RnR9W6LgvMo2RtyR0rNZfQNag3d64.jpeg&description=Rishi Sunak faces a one-month dash to seal a Protocol deal in the New Year, as fresh Northern Ireland elections slam the brakes on talks. The Prime Minister will be told he needs to reach an agreement with the EU by the end of January to have any hope of meeting a key deadline. British negotiators want to restore the Stormont Assembly in time for the 25th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement, which is on April 10. Plans have been discussed to invite Joe Biden, the US president, over to Belfast for a ceremony if the row with the EU has been solved. The only way to do that would be to strike a deal with Brussels that overhauls the Protocol and ends the DUP boycott of the Belfast executive. But the new Prime Minister will face a race against time, with talks having to be dialled down during the seven-week election campaign. Northern Irish voters will head to the polls on Dec 15, after which Brussels and Westminster will wind down for the Christmas break. That will leave negotiators for both sides with just the month of January to try and find a deal in time for the anniversary. Chris Heaton-Harris, the Northern Ireland Secretary, was poised to call the fresh ballot on Friday after a last-gasp bid to avoid it failed. But despite expectations he would name a date in December for polling day, he said he would continue talks with Northern Ireland's political parties and make a second announcement next week. Officials hope an agreement can be reached to form a Northern Irish executive in that time, although it is unlikely the DUP will agree to cooperate before Britain concludes Protocol negotiations with the EU. "I have listened to the party leaders, I am going to talk to them all again next week. But I will be calling an election," said Mr Heaton-Harris. "Nearly all the parties who have been saying this won't help the situation actually signed up to the rules that make this situation happen. "Why call it now? Because I am legally bound to do so."){kind=link}
New Stormont Assembly elections limit time available for reaching agreement
Rishi Sunak faces a one-month dash to seal a Protocol deal in the New Year, as fresh Northern Ireland elections slam the brakes on talks.
The Prime Minister will be told he needs to reach an agreement with the EU by the end of January to have any hope of meeting a key deadline.
British negotiators want to restore the Stormont Assembly in time for the 25th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement, which is on April 10.
Plans have been discussed to invite Joe Biden, the US president, over to Belfast for a ceremony if the row with the EU has been solved.