The Protocol on Ireland/Northern Ireland: The SDLP perspective

In this event, Matthew O’Toole MLA presents the SDLP’s vision for the implementation of the Protocol on Ireland/Northern Ireland. He discusses his party’s views on the most recent solutions presented both by the UK Government and the European Commission. He also addresses the challenges and opportunities which lie ahead for Northern Ireland, relations on this island and beyond, following the UK’s exit from the EU.

About the Speakers:

Matthew O’Toole MLA is a Social Democratic and Labour Party (SDLP) politician who has served as a Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) for the Belfast South constituency in the Northern Ireland Assembly since January 2020. He was previously Chief Press Officer for Europe at Number 10 Downing Street between 2015 and 2017. As a civil servant, Mr O’Toole helped coordinate UK Government communications efforts during the EU referendum campaign through to the beginning of the formal Brexit negotiations. After leaving Whitehall, he wrote widely on the consequences of Brexit for the island of Ireland, including for the Irish Times, Financial Times, Politico, Guardian and New Statesman.