Speech by Arlene Foster MLA on the Irish backstop and what she wants from the new Prime Minister, Part Two.

The Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) expressed concerns to the Prime Minister in December 2017 about the joint report, particularly paragraphs 49 and 50. Despite warnings, the Prime Minister proceeded, leading to the inclusion of the Irish Protocol in the Withdrawal Agreement. This backstop creates a permanent UK-EU Customs Union, which the DUP argues breaches promises made to protect the Union. The backstop's indefinite nature has been confirmed by legal opinions, and it introduces checks between Great Britain and Northern Ireland, threatening the Union's economic stability.

What was the main concern of the Democratic Unionist Party regarding the joint report in December 2017?

• The lack of economic benefits

• The content of paragraphs 49 and 50

• The Prime Minister's leadership

• The absence of a customs union

What did the inclusion of the Irish Protocol in the Withdrawal Agreement establish?

• A temporary trade agreement

• A permanent UK-EU Customs Union

• A new political party

• A revised joint report

How did the protocol affect the relationship between Great Britain and Northern Ireland?

• It removed all trade barriers

• It created checks between them

• It established a new currency

• It unified their legal systems

What was the DUP's stance on the backstop's impact on the Union?

• They had no opinion on it

• They supported it for economic growth

• They believed it would damage the Union economically

• They thought it would strengthen the Union

What did the Prime Minister promise regarding the Union?

• To create a new customs union

• To dissolve the Union

• To protect the Union

• To increase taxes