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Brexit Issues

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 28 July 2020

Tuesday, 28 July 2020

Ceisteanna (45)

Brendan Smith

Ceist:

45. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on the assessment of the House of Commons Northern Ireland select committee that a lack of clarity from the United Kingdom Government has made it difficult to examine the way in which the Northern Ireland Protocol in the United Kingdom’s EU Withdrawal agreement will impact Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18492/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I am aware of the report referenced by the Deputy, which emphasises in particular the urgent need for clarity for stakeholders in Northern Ireland with regard to implementation of the Protocol on Ireland/Northern Ireland.

We are fully cognisant of the need for all stakeholders in Northern Ireland, and particularly businesses, to have clarity and detail as soon as possible regarding all aspects of implementation of the Protocol, and the changes which Brexit will inevitably bring. Timely and effective communication will be an important part of this. These points also been made clear by Northern Irish business representatives and other stakeholders, North and South, in my own engagements with them.

It is of crucial importance that the UK advance detailed implementation of all aspects of the Protocol without delay. We have made this point consistently clear in our engagements with the UK Government, for example in my meeting with Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster Michael Gove on 15 July. It was also made clear at the most recent meeting of the EU-UK Specialised Committee on 16 July, which Ireland attended as part of the EU delegation.

The Government acknowledges and welcomes recent positive developments in this regard, including the UK’s application for SPS-related border control posts in Northern Ireland, as well as other recent technical engagements which have taken place between the EU and UK on implementation of the Protocol. However, it is clear that further progress is required and we continue to urge the UK Government to take this operational and technical work forward as a matter of urgency, to give all stakeholders in Northern Ireland the clarity they need.

The Protocol allows for a set of arrangements to address the challenges of Brexit on the island of Ireland. The Protocol is designed to protect the peace and prosperity delivered through the Good Friday Agreement in all circumstances, while also protecting the Single Market and Ireland’s place in it. We remain firmly of the view that the Protocol, once fully implemented, will work well for Northern Ireland and for Ireland.

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