Bernard Durkan
Ceist:233. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the extent to which the Northern Ireland Protocol remains as was intended; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47416/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThursday, 30 September 2021
Ceisteanna (233)
Freagraí scríofa
It has always been clear that Brexit would be profoundly disruptive for the island of Ireland. Early on in the Withdrawal Agreement negotiations, both the EU and the UK acknowledged the unique circumstances on the island. They recognised the necessity of protecting the Good Friday Agreement and the gains of the peace process, avoiding a hard border and protecting North-South cooperation.
Following years of intense negotiation, the Protocol was agreed between the EU and the UK in October 2019. It was conceived as a stable and lasting solution. The Protocol avoids a hard border, enabling the smooth functioning of the all-island economy and safeguarding the Good Friday Agreement in all its dimensions. It protects the integrity of the EU’s Single Market, and Ireland’s place within it.
Where issues of concern have arisen around implementation, we are confident that solutions do exist within the parameters of the Protocol itself. We must bear in mind that many of the issues of concern to people and businesses in Northern Ireland flow directly from the form of Brexit pursued by the UK Government.
As demonstrated by Commission Vice President Šefcovic’s recent visit to Northern Ireland, the European Union is taking a solutions-oriented approach, aimed at addressing the matters of concern to people and businesses in Northern Ireland.
While the EU will continue to engage constructively to find solutions to genuine issues arising around implementation of the Protocol, it is important to be clear that the Protocol is not up for renegotiation.
We will continue to encourage the UK Government to work in genuine partnership with the EU towards seeking stable and sustainable solutions that will enable Northern Ireland to gain the full benefit of the Protocol to support trade, investment, and jobs, developing the prosperity of the region.