Ms Sorcha Eastwood:

We understood that Brexit was going to bring barriers and borders. This is why we opposed it. What we have now is the practical outworking of a Brexit that people wanted. The protocol is not perfect but it is what we ended up with. Indeed, a manufacturer in my constituency of Lagan Valley spoke about the benefits of it as well. However, if we are going to continue to drag the debate on to the constitutional ground, it will not be helpful. We need to go about this in a practical way. I understand that there are sensitive concerns around identity and how people feel. This should not be minimised for a second. I would never want to do that but we need to recognise the realities of Brexit and where we need to move to now together to push for the best outcome for everybody.

Regarding a citizens' assembly, there is no harm in people talking. Talking is the only thing that has ever brought us forward in this place. If we spend more time looking at the issues that impact on everybody regardless of view such as health, education, the economy and jobs, we will move to a place where we can achieve a lot more and see how much we have in common.