READ MORE On social media, he wrote: "Focus has to be on achieving agreed practical solutions." Sinn Féin deputy leader Michelle O'Neill said the DUP "must own the consequences of Brexit" and the Northern Ireland Protocol is a "direct consequence of Brexit". She added that the "solo run by DUP Minister for Agriculture Gordon Lyons instructing his officials to halt work on further infrastructure, and charging at the ports is clearly a stunt". Ms O'Neill added there was no alternative to the Northern Ireland Protocol. However, Commission spokesman Daniel Ferrie aid the commission had "received reassurances" that Mr Lyons' announcement had no operational impact on the long term strategy for the implementation of the posts.